Checking a charging station

Abstract

Examples include an electric vehicle charging station, a charging station control device, and an electric vehicle charging system. Figure from the abstract: [Fig. 8]

Description

Title of the invention: Control of a charging station technical field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of electric mobility. Previous technique

[0002] Electric mobility, in particular the use of electric vehicles, represents one of the solutions to reduce the carbon impact of individual travel on the planet.

[0003] The issue of infrastructure enabling the charging of electric vehicles is central to the development of electric vehicles. In this case, electric charging stations, due to the technologies and materials used in their manufacture, represent a significant financial and environmental cost.

[0004] In particular, the environmental cost of manufacturing electric charging stations can conflict with the initial objective of electric vehicles in reducing the carbon footprint of individual travel. Indeed, the extraction of materials used to manufacture these stations, their production, and their integration into the electrical grid architecture are responsible for carbon emissions.

[0005] The present disclosure improves this situation. Summary

[0006] In this regard, a charging station for electric vehicles is proposed comprising: an identification module; a power supply module adapted for charging an electric vehicle; and a data processing unit configured for: to obtain a current charging slot associated with a specific identifier, the current charging slot being defined by: *one hour for the start of charging, and *one hour until the end of charging; receive, from the identification module, an identifier of a potential user of the charging station; compare the specific identifier with the identifier of the potential user of the charging station; and if the identifiers match: to perform an action enabling the potential user to use the electricity supply module.

[0007] Optionally, the power supply module may also include a charging socket and a power supply circuit, and perform an action enabling the potential user to use the power supply module includes: execute instructions from a computer program to control the power supply circuit in order to supply electricity to the charging socket of the power supply module.

[0008] Optionally, the data processing unit is also configured to: if the identifiers do not match: to perform an action prohibiting the potential user from using the power supply module during the current charging slot.

[0009] Optionally, the power supply module may also include a charging socket, and a power supply circuit, and perform an action prohibiting the potential user from using the power supply module during the current charging slot includes: executing instructions from a computer program to control the power supply circuit so as to cut off or keep cut off a power supply to the charging socket of the power supply module.

[0010] Optionally, the data processing unit is configured to perform the action enabling the potential user to use the power supply module if the identifiers match and if a current time is between the start time and the end time of charging of the current charging slot.

[0011] The application also relates to a control device for a charging station according to any one of the examples presented in this disclosure, including: a memory suitable for storing multiple user IDs registered with the charging station and an ID associated with an administrator; the administrator and the plurality of users registered with the charging station forming the holders of identifiers; a charging slot reservation module configured to allow a user ID holder to reserve a charging slot at the station, from among a plurality of reservable charging slots, a charging slot being defined by: *a charging start time, and *one hour for the end of charging, and a communication module adapted to exchange data with the charging station, the communication module also being adapted to transmit to the charging station a reserved charging slot associated with the identifier of the identifier holder who reserved the slot.

[0012] Optionally, the control device may also include an evaluation module. In this option, the communication module is further adapted to receive a charging end time from the charging station, the charging end time being associated with a reserved charging slot and a charging station user identifier; and in which the evaluation module is configured to: compare the charging end time received from the charging station and the charging end time of the charging slot reserved by the user; and if the received charging end time is later than the charging end time of the reserved charging slot: determine an action penalizing the user; or if the received charging end time is earlier than or equal to the charging end time of the reserved charging slot: determine an action rewarding the user.

[0013] Optionally, the communication module is configured to, in the absence of a user reservation in a specific reservable charging slot, transmit to the charging station a default charging slot, corresponding to the specific reservable charging slot, and associated with the administrator's identifier.

[0014] Optionally, the charging slot reservation module is also configured to allow the charging station to be reserved in different slots by at least two ID holders, from among the plurality of ID holders.

[0015] The application also relates to an electric vehicle charging system comprising a charging station according to any of the examples presented in this disclosure and a control device according to any of the examples presented in this disclosure.

[0016] The application further relates to a computer program product comprising instructions for implementing any of the processes or software modules presented in this disclosure when this program is executed by a processor.

[0017] Finally, the application relates to a non-transient computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a program for the implementation of any of the methods or software modules presented in this disclosure when this program is executed by a processor. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below, and upon analysis of the accompanying drawings, on which:

[0019] [Fig. 1] schematically represents an example of an electric vehicle charging station according to this disclosure.

[0020] [Fig.2] schematically represents an example of a power supply module for a charging station according to this disclosure.

[0021] [Fig.3] schematically represents an example of a data processing unit of a charging station according to this disclosure.

[0022] [Fig.4] schematically represents an example of the configuration of a data processing unit of a charging station according to this disclosure.

[0023] [Fig.5] schematically represents another example of the configuration of a data processing unit of a charging station according to the present disclosure.

[0024] [Fig.6] schematically represents yet another example of the configuration of a data processing unit of a charging station according to the present disclosure.

[0025] [Fig.7] schematically represents yet another example of the configuration of a data processing unit of a charging station according to the present disclosure.

[0026] [Fig.8] schematically represents an example of a charging station control device according to the present disclosure.

[0027] [Fig.9] schematically represents an example of a first communication architecture between a control device and a charging station according to the present disclosure.

[0028] [Fig. 10] schematically represents an example of a second communication architecture between a control device and a charging station according to the present disclosure.

[0029] [Fig. 11] schematically represents an example of an electric vehicle charging system. Description of the implementation methods

[0030] The inventors observed that existing electric vehicle charging stations, already manufactured and integrated into the electrical grid, were often used far below their capacity. Indeed, while offering an efficient charging system, these existing charging stations are often occupied at specific times of day and remain unoccupied the rest of the time, or remain occupied by vehicles whose charging has finished and which users do not move, the charging station thus being used as a parking space. The inventors also noted that some users of charging stations routinely went to a charging station daily, for example, one provided in their workplace parking lot or one in their apartment building, to charge their vehicle.These users then remained parked at this charging station even though their vehicle only required a short charging time, so... They prevented other users from using the charging station. Consequently, many charging stations are manufactured and integrated into the electrical grid to create redundancy, even though their actual usage is relatively limited. These stations, with their limited use, therefore incur additional financial and environmental costs. Furthermore, since building and integrating numerous charging stations to create redundancy during specific peak usage periods requires significant financial investment, these costs are passed on to users through charging prices. This, in addition to the economic disadvantage for existing users, can discourage potential new users from switching to electric vehicles, thus creating a further environmental drawback.

[0031] Furthermore, integrating numerous charging stations into the electrical network can lead to imbalances in the network, which could, for example, cause consumption peaks at critical times which could, on a large scale, lead to unexpected power outages, so it is also in the interest of the proper functioning of the electrical network to integrate as few charging stations as possible.

[0032] The present disclosure thus proposes a solution which reduces the need for manufacturing and integrating new charging stations on the electrical network, while guaranteeing users better availability at existing charging stations, thereby reducing the ecological and financial costs of developing charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, and also limiting the imbalances that these devices can cause on the electrical network.

[0033] The solution proposes an electric vehicle charging station, a control device for this station, and an electric charging system with clever features that increase the charging station's utilization rate, thereby reducing the need to manufacture and install new electric charging stations. The term "charging station utilization rate" refers to the actual usage during which the station is being used for charging, and not simply for parking an electric vehicle when the battery of the parked vehicle, although it may still be plugged in, has already been fully charged by the station. The utilization rate is sometimes referred to as the occupancy rate in this disclosure.

[0034] A schematic representation of an example of a charging station 1 for electric vehicles according to this disclosure is illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0035] A charging station 1 for electric vehicles can be defined as a device which, when cooperating with an electric vehicle, allows the recharging of an electric vehicle battery.

[0036] A charging station 1 for electric vehicles can, in particular, be connected to an electrical network, specifically a single-phase or three-phase AC electrical network, or to a battery. Energy from the network or the battery can thus be transmitted to the battery of the electric vehicles, enabling them to be recharged.

[0037] The charging station 1 includes an identification module 10, a power supply module 20, and a data processing unit 30.

[0038] The charging station may include a communication unit 40 adapted to exchange data with a control device 1000 which will be detailed later.

[0039] The identification module 10 refers to a module that acquires an identifier from a user wishing to interact with the electric charging station. The identification module 10 may, in particular, correspond to a radio frequency identification reader, generally referred to as an RFID reader, where the acronym RFID refers to the English term "Radio-Frequency Identification," which is a well-known identification technology. In some examples, the identification module 10 could directly acquire an identifier from a user of their electric vehicle, particularly when that vehicle is plugged into the charging station.

[0040] A user identifier can, for example, designate a unique identifier associated with a user registered with charging station 1. The user can, for example, be previously registered with charging station 1 following an enrollment procedure. The enrollment procedure can, in particular, be implemented at the charging station itself, or at the level of the control device 1000 associated with charging station 1, which will be described later.

[0041] A user registered with charging station 1 can designate a user belonging to a list of predefined users associated with charging station 1 and authorized to use charging station 1.

[0042] In examples where the identification module corresponds to an RFID reader, a user identifier can, for example, be acquired when the user passes an RFID badge (or “RIFD tag” in English) in front of the RFID reader.

[0043] The power supply module 20 may refer to a module for supplying electricity to an electric vehicle with which it is connected. The power supply module is therefore suitable for connection to the electrical grid. A single charging station may include several power supply modules 20, and in particular at least two.

[0044] In examples, the power supply module may include at least one of a charging socket 21, a housing 22, a locking system 23 and a power supply circuit 24. Such examples are schematically illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0045] The charging socket 21 can refer to the power-supplied connector (male or female) that cooperates with the corresponding connector of the electric vehicle to be charged. In particular, the electric vehicle's connector is connected to the electric vehicle's battery in order to charge it. The charging socket 21 can, for example, deliver alternating current or direct current to enable the charging of an electric vehicle.

[0046] Housing 22 may designate a dedicated space in the charging station adapted to house the charging socket 21. In examples where the charging socket 21 is a female connector, a shape of housing 22 may also be adapted to accommodate the male connector of the electric vehicle when it is connected to the charging socket 21. Housing 22 may, for example, correspond to a hatch.

[0047] The locking system 23 can be adapted, when activated, to lock a connection between the charging socket connector 21 and the corresponding connector of the electric vehicle when these connectors are plugged in. In particular, in examples where the charging socket 21 is a male connector, the locking system 23 can be adapted to lock the male connector of the charging socket 21 into the female connector of the electric vehicle to which it is plugged in.

[0048] In examples where the charging socket 21 is a female connector, the locking system 23 can be adapted to lock the male connector of the electric vehicle into the female connector of the charging socket 21 to which it is connected. In particular, in examples where the charging station includes a housing 22 for the charging socket 21 corresponding to a female connector, the locking system 23 can, for example, lock the housing 22 so that a user wishing to disconnect the male connector of the vehicle from the charging socket 21 would not be able to do so.

[0049] It is thus understood that, when the locking system 23 is activated, a user who wishes to interrupt a charging session by disconnecting the electric vehicle from the charging socket 21 would not be able to do so because of the locking system 23. Conversely, when it is deactivated, the vehicle connector can be disconnected from the charging socket 21, in particular so that the user can retrieve his electric vehicle at the end of charging.

[0050] In some examples, the locking system 23 can also block access to the charging socket 21 when the terminal is not in use. In some examples where the charging socket 21 is housed in the housing 22, the housing 22 can for example be locked by the locking system 23 to prevent users from accessing the charging socket 21.

[0051] The locking system 23 can in particular be controlled by the data processing unit 30 of terminal 1, as detailed below.

[0052] The power supply circuit 24 is adapted to connect or disconnect the charging socket 21 from the electrical network. Thus, when the power supply circuit 24 allows the charging socket 21 to be connected to the electrical network, the latter can charge an electric vehicle. Conversely, when it does not allow this connection, the charging socket 21 cannot charge an electric vehicle. The power supply circuit 24 can, in particular, be controlled by the data processing unit 30 of the terminal 1, as detailed below.

[0053] The power supply circuit 24 may include, in particular, a controlled power switch to enable or interrupt the connection between the charging socket and the mains. The power switch may, for example, be controlled by the data processing unit 30, as detailed below.

[0054] The power supply circuit 24 may also include an AC / DC converter for converting an alternating electrical signal from the mains into a direct electrical signal. In particular, the AC / DC converter may be connected on one side to the mains and on the other side to the charging socket 21.

[0055] The data processing unit 30 is configured to execute a process 100, several examples of which will be detailed below. This disclosure includes, in this sense, a computer program product containing instructions for implementing any one of the process examples 100 presented in this disclosure when that program is executed by a processor. Furthermore, it also includes a non-transient, computer-readable recording medium on which such a computer program is recorded.

[0056] In examples, the data processing unit 30 may, for example, include a memory 31 and a processor 32. Such examples are schematically illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0057] The memory 31 is accessible to the processor 32. The memory 31 can, for example, store code instructions executed by the processor 32. The processor 32 can, for example, be a microprocessor, microcontroller, FPGA, etc. The memory 31 can, for example, comprise ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), or any other type of means of Suitable storage. Memory can, for example, include optical, electronic, or magnetic storage methods.

[0058] The memory 31 of the processing unit 30 can, for example, store charging slots, which will be detailed later. The memory 31 can also store the identifiers of users authorized to use the charging station 1.

[0059] The processor 32 can be configured to implement any of the data processing method examples 100 described in this disclosure. These examples will be detailed later, particularly with reference to Figures 4 to 7.

[0060] It should be noted that the figures associated with the process examples 100 are merely illustrations of the process examples 100, representing, by means of blocks, the various operations that may be included in the process and described later in this document. As such, the illustrations do not convey any sequence between the operations. In other words, the operations described with reference to the figures are not necessarily carried out sequentially and may, in particular, be carried out in a different order than that shown in the figures, or be carried out in parallel, unless a given operation requires a result from another operation to be carried out. Similarly, it is not necessary for each operation to be carried out once before the same operation is repeated a second time.The frequency with which each operation is implemented is specific to it and is not necessarily linked to the implementation of other operations.

[0061] Thus, with reference to [Fig.4], an example of a method 100 is presented corresponding to an example of a configuration of the data processing unit 30 of the charging station 1.

[0062] In this example, the data processing unit 30 is configured to perform an operation 110 of obtaining a current recharge slot associated with a specific identifier.

[0063] A charging slot may, in this disclosure, refer to a time interval associated with the charging station 1. It may be defined, in this disclosure, as: *one hour for the start of charging, and *one hour until charging is complete. In some examples, the charging window can also be defined by a charging date. A date can be defined by a day and a month. A date can also be defined by a year. In such examples, a charging window can therefore be defined by a start time and an end time for charging, for a given day, month, and year.

[0064] A charging slot is associated with an identifier. The identifier can be associated with a user of the charging station, or can be associated with an administrator, for example, an administrator of a control device 1000 of the charging station 1. The control device 1000 of the charging station 1 allows, for example, remote control of the charging station 1, as detailed later in this disclosure.

[0065] The current charging slot can refer to the charging slot which includes the time instant during which the identification module 10 receives an identifier from a potential user, i.e. the time instant corresponding to the execution of operation 120 described below). This time instant is therefore between the start time of charging and the end time of this charging slot.

[0066] The specific identifier associated with the current charging slot can correspond to an identifier of a user of charging station 1 or to an identifier of an administrator.

[0067] In some examples, the operation of obtaining the current charging slot 110 may include an operation of reading the charging slot and its associated identifier from a memory location (for example, memory 31). Specifically, in some examples, the current charging slot associated with the specific identifier is received by the communication unit 40 of the charging station 1 following a communication from the control device 1000. This data is then stored in a memory location of the charging station 1. It can therefore be read from this memory by the data processing unit 30. In some examples, the communication of the current charging slot and its associated specific identifier by the control device may optionally follow a request from the charging station to the control device requesting this information.This request can be triggered, in particular, following the acquisition of a user's identifier by the identification module 10, as presented in operation 120.

[0068] The data processing unit 30 is configured to perform an operation 120 of receiving an identifier of a potential user of the charging station 1. This identifier can, for example, be received from the identification module 10, possibly by reading an RFID badge when the identification module 10 corresponds to an RFID reader.

[0069] The data processing unit 30 is configured to perform an operation 130 comparing the specific identifier (the identifier associated with the current charging slot) and the identifier of the potential user of the charging station 1 received from the identification module during operation 120. This operation 130 comparing the specific identifier and the potential user identifier may, in particular, correspond for the data processing unit 30 to a read from a memory of the specific identifier, and comparison of this specific identifier with that received from identification module 10.

[0070] Furthermore, if the identifiers match, the data processing unit 30 is also configured to perform an operation 140 corresponding to an action enabling the potential user to use the electricity supply module 20, for example to recharge his electric vehicle.

[0071] In examples, operation 140 of implementing an action enabling the potential user to use the electricity supply module is performed only if the identifiers match.

[0072] A matching identifier means that the identifiers are associated with the same user of charging station 1. Conversely, the identifiers do not match if they are not associated with the same user. When the identifiers do not match, either the identifier of the potential user acquired by the identification module 10 corresponds to a user of charging station 1 different from the user associated with the specific identifier of the current charging slot, or the acquired identifier does not correspond to any user of charging station 1.

[0073] In some examples, an identifier may be an integer, and a match between identifiers is recognized when the integers of the potential user's identifier and the specific identifier are equal. In other examples, an identifier may be an alphanumeric combination, and a match between identifiers is recognized when the alphanumeric combinations of the potential user's identifier and the specific identifier are equal.

[0074] This allows access to the charging station to be restricted to the person who reserved it, so that they can complete their charging session as planned. The inventors observed that many users drove their vehicles to the charging station only to find it already occupied, even though the vehicle parked in front of the station had long since finished charging. The specific configuration of the processing unit as described in this disclosure prevents this type of behavior, since another user of the station cannot connect to it without having previously reserved it. Furthermore, the specific configuration of the processing unit limits the duration for which the user remains connected to the station to the time defined in the charging slot.Therefore, charging station 1 as described in this disclosure facilitates user turnover at the charging station, thereby significantly increasing the station's occupancy rate and reducing the need to manufacture and integrate additional stations into the electrical grid.

[0075] In examples, operation 140, which implements an action enabling the potential user to use the power supply module 20, is performed if (or only if) the identifiers match and a current time period falls between the start and end times of the current charging slot. The current time period can refer to a point in time at which the identifiers are compared, i.e., a point in time corresponding to the execution of operation 130.

[0076] In examples where the power supply module 20 includes the charging socket 21 and the power supply circuit 24, the operation 140 for implementing an action enabling the potential user to use the power supply module 20 may include an operation 141. The operation 141 corresponds to the execution of instructions from a computer program to control the power supply circuit 24 so as to supply power to the charging socket 21. These instructions from the computer program may, in particular, include instructions to transmit a command from the data processing unit 30 to the power supply circuit 24 in order to connect the electrical network to the charging socket 21. The command may, for example, be a command to close the power switch of the electrical circuit 24, if applicable. These examples are schematically illustrated in [Fig. 5].

[0077] In examples where the power supply module includes the charging socket 21, the housing 22, and the locking system 23, the operation 140 for implementing an action enabling the potential user to use the power supply module 20 may include executing instructions from a computer program to unlock the locking system 23 of the power supply module 20. These instructions from the computer program may include, in particular, instructions to transmit a command from the data processing unit 30 to the locking system 23, triggering its unlocking. Once the locking system 23 is unlocked, the charging socket 21 and the housing 22 are accessible for connecting the user's vehicle connector for charging.

[0078] In examples where the identifiers do not match, the data processing unit 30 of the charging station 1 can also be configured to implement an operation 150. Operation 150 corresponds to the implementation of an action preventing the potential user from using the power supply module 20 during the current charging slot. These examples are schematically illustrated in [Fig. 6]. These examples thus make it possible to prevent users other than the one who reserved the current charging slot from using the station during that slot.

[0079] In examples where the power supply module 20 includes the charging socket 21 and the power supply circuit 24, the operation 150 for implementing an action prohibiting the potential user from using the power supply module 20 during the current charging window may include an operation 151. The operation 151 corresponds to the execution of instructions from a computer program to control the power supply circuit 24 so as to cut off or keep cut off the power supply to the charging socket 21. These instructions from the computer program may, in particular, include instructions to transmit a command from the data processing unit 30 to the power supply circuit 24, disconnecting the power supply from the charging socket 21.The command could, for example, be a command to open the power switch of electrical circuit 24, if applicable. These examples are schematically illustrated in [Fig. 7].

[0080] It should be noted that when it comes to keeping the power supply to the charging socket 21 off, the data processing unit 30 does not have to take any active action to act on the power supply circuit 24. Therefore, the computer program instructions executed in this situation during operation 151 can simply consist of instructions that do not cause any action on the power supply circuit 24, or any action on the power switch of this circuit, if applicable.

[0081] In examples where the power supply module includes the charging socket 21, the housing 22, and the locking system 23, operation 150, which implements an action preventing the potential user from using the power supply module 20 during the current charging slot, may include an operation 151. Operation 151 consists of executing instructions in a computer program to lock or keep locked the locking system 23 of the power supply module. In examples where the locking system is locked, instructions in the computer program may include, in particular, instructions to transmit a command from the data processing unit 30 to the locking system 23, triggering its locking.Insofar as the locking system 23 is locked, the charging socket 21 cannot be disconnected, or removed from the housing 22, and therefore cannot be used by the user to charge their vehicle.

[0082] It should be noted that when it comes to keeping the locking system 23 locked, since this locking system 23 is already locked, the data processing unit 30 does not have to perform any active action to act on the locking system 23. Therefore, the instructions of the computer program executed in this situations during operation 151 can simply consist of instructions that do not trigger any action for the locking system 23.

[0083] In examples, the processing unit 30 of the charging station 1 can be configured to transmit a command to the communication module 40, leading the communication module 40 to transmit a status of the station to the control device 1000. A status of the station can, for example, correspond to a status associated with a state of the station at the time the command is sent.

[0084] Thus, a status associated with a terminal state may, for example, include at least one of the following: a "functional" status when the terminal is operational, a "under maintenance" status when the terminal is expected to undergo maintenance before it can become functional again, or a "charging" status when an electric vehicle is being charged. This status will then be used by the control device 1000 detailed below.

[0085] In examples, the processing unit 30 of the charging station 1 can be configured to transmit a command to the communication module 40, causing the communication module 40 to transmit a charging end time associated with a charging slot and a user identifier to the control device 1000. This data will then be used by the control device 1000 detailed later.

[0086] The charging station 1 according to this disclosure therefore allows, in its various configurations, for its use to be made more fluid by several users, and thus to increase its occupancy rate, thereby reducing the need for construction and integration of stations into the electrical network to have an electric vehicle charging infrastructure that meets users' charging needs.

[0087] An example of a control device 1000 for a charging station 1, according to any of the examples presented in this disclosure, is now presented with reference to [Fig. 8]. It should be noted that this control device 1000, although presented hereafter as controlling a single charging station 1, can obviously control several charging stations 1, including simultaneously. Specifically, the control device 1000 can be configured to control a plurality of stations and can, in particular, offer a user registered with several stations among the plurality of stations the option to reserve charging slots at these stations, depending on their status, as explained below.

[0088] The control device 1000 may, in particular, be a software application. The software application may, in particular, comprise several software modules enabling the control device to offer several functionalities. Thus, the control device modules presented below may be put implemented by code instructions executed by a processor. This disclosure includes, in that sense, a computer program product containing instructions for implementing any of the example modules of the 1000 Control Device presented in this disclosure when that program is executed by a processor. Furthermore, it also includes a non-transient, computer-readable recording medium on which such a computer program is recorded.

[0089] In initial examples, the software application is downloadable and installable on a user's terminal. A user's terminal may, for example, be a phone or a computer. In which case, the control device 1000 takes the form of a "thick client" in the sense that the data processing enabling the implementation of the functionalities offered by the control device 1000 can be implemented, at least in part, locally by the terminal, i.e., by the terminal's processing means (for example, by a processor in the terminal).

[0090] In the second set of examples, the software application is offered by at least one remote server, for example, at least one web server (in which case it is a web application). In these second sets of examples, the control device 1000 takes the form of a "thin client" for a user who accesses the control device via a terminal, insofar as the implementation of the functionalities offered by the application is executed at the level of the remote server(s) and not on the terminal itself. The terminal can then be used to send commands that are processed by the remote server.

[0091] The control device 1000 of a charging station 1 thus includes a memory 1100, a charging slot reservation module 1200, and a communication module 1300.

[0092] The memory 1100, for example, may include ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), or any other suitable type of storage medium. The memory may, for example, include optical, electronic, or magnetic storage. In particular, the memory may include instructions that can be executed by at least one of the modules of the control device.

[0093] The memory 1100 is also adapted to store a plurality of identifiers. The plurality of identifiers includes identifiers associated with a plurality of users registered with the charging station and an identifier associated with an administrator. The plurality of users of the charging station 1 and the administrator holding identifiers among the plurality of identifiers thus correspond to the holders of identifiers recognized by the charging station. An administrator is mentioned here, but the plurality of identifiers may also include identifiers belonging to multiple administrators.

[0094] The administrator may, for example, be an administrator of the control device or an administrator of the charging station. An administrator is not necessarily a natural person; it may also be an automated system acting as an administrator. In particular, the charging station's control device 1000 may have an administrator ID registered with the charging station 1 to enable its control. The IDs registered with the charging station 1 are therefore recognized by the charging station 1 when acquired by the identification module 10.

[0095] It is understood that when the control device 1000 is configured to control several charging stations 1, the memory 1100 of this device can store a plurality of identifiers associated with each of the charging stations 1 that it controls. In which case, each charging station 1 is associated with a respective plurality of identifiers.

[0096] The charging slot reservation module 1200 is configured to allow a user with multiple login credentials for the charging station to reserve a charging slot from among a plurality of reservable charging slots. The plurality of reservable charging slots can, for example, be stored in memory 1100. A charging slot has already been defined previously in relation to the charging station. It can therefore be defined by a charging start time, a charging end time, and optionally also by a charging date. It is understood that when the control device is configured to control several charging stations, the plurality of users registered with a given station has access to the plurality of reservable slots for that station.

[0097] The 1200 charging slot reservation module is therefore configured so that a user can have access to reservable charging slots at the charging station with which he is registered (or at several stations, if he is registered at several stations) in order to reserve such a slot to charge his electric vehicle.

[0098] In some examples, the 1200 charging slot reservation module is configured to present all or part of the plurality of bookable charging slots, advantageously in chronological order, to the user so as to allow the user to select a bookable charging slot. In some examples, the 1200 slot reservation module is adapted to receive status information from the charging station (or charging stations, as the case may be). (if applicable), and depending on this status, is adapted to allow or prevent a user from reserving a reservable charging slot at that station. Specifically, in examples where the station's status is "under maintenance," the 1200 slot reservation module is configured to prevent a user from reserving a charging slot. Conversely, when the station's status is "operational," the 1200 slot reservation module is configured to allow a user to reserve a charging slot.

[0099] In initial examples, the charging slots of the plurality of reservable charging slots are predefined by the control device 1000. In which case, a user who wishes to reserve a charging slot could simply select a predefined charging slot.

[0100] In second examples, the 1200 charging slot booking module can be configured to allow a user to define a charging slot they wish to reserve, provided that this charging slot is available. In this case, the charging slots for the plurality of reservable charging slots are defined by the users of the charging station. In these second examples, the 1200 charging slot booking module can be configured to prompt a user to create a charging slot by entering a start time and an end time, and optionally a date to reserve their charging. The 1200 charging slot booking module can then be configured to check the availability of this reservable charging slot for charging station 1, and if this slot is available, reserve this slot for the user by associating this slot with the user's ID.A charging slot is available when no other user has already reserved all or part of that same charging slot.

[0101] It should be noted that the first and second examples can be combined. Thus, the plurality of reservable charging slots can include both slots predefined by the control device 1000 and slots defined by users. This mixed operation appears to be the one that would allow for the highest utilization rate of the charging station, and would therefore minimize the need to manufacture and integrate new charging stations into the electrical grid.Indeed, this system would suit both users who wish to have minimal interaction with the control system (particularly users who are not comfortable with the digital tools used to interact with the control system), since a few selections are all that is needed to reserve a time slot, and also users who have very specific schedules to adhere to and who could therefore reserve extremely specific time slots that perfectly suit their various requirements.

[0102] In examples, when a reservable charging slot at a charging station is reserved by a user, the 1200 charging slot reservation module is configured to exclude it from the plurality of reservable slots offered to registered users at that station.

[0103] In examples, the charging slot reservation module 1200 is configured to write, in an area of ​​memory 1100 dedicated to the reservation of charging slots, a charging slot associated with an identifier of the user who made the reservation of this slot.

[0104] Thus, the plurality of reservable charging slots can extend over several days, several weeks, several months, or even several years. A plurality of reservable slots extending between 1 and 31 days, and in particular extending over a week, corresponds to a particularly advantageous choice insofar as it allows users of the charging station to organize themselves sufficiently in advance to reserve a charging slot, thereby increasing the occupancy rate of the station, and also limiting the memory space to be reserved to store these slots in the memory 1100 of the control device 1000, while maintaining an acceptable read access speed for this information.In particular, it is understood that in the examples where the 1000 control device is configured to control a plurality of charging stations, if each of the charging stations is associated with reservable charging slots extending over excessively large calendar periods, the memory space and the speed of accessing information in memory could be significantly impacted by an excessive number of reservable charging slots per station, and therefore by the fact that the plurality of reservable charging slots per station extends over excessively large calendar periods.

[0105] The charging slot reservation module 1200 therefore allows one or more users, provided they have login credentials registered with charging station 1 in memory 1100, to reserve charging station 1 for several different time slots. Specifically, a single user can reserve the station for several different time slots, several users can reserve a single time slot (provided that it is not the same time slot, i.e., that the same period of time is not reserved twice), and several users can reserve several time slots at the charging station (provided that these time slots do not overlap). Furthermore, a single charging station is mentioned here, but multiple users with access to multiple charging stations can also reserve time slots at several charging stations (provided that a user does not reserve two overlapping time slots)..

[0106] In examples, the 1200 charging slot reservation module can be configured to limit a user to a predetermined number of reservation slots over a defined period of time. These examples prevent a single user from reserving all the available charging slots at the charging station, thereby blocking access to the station for other users and reducing the station's occupancy rate.

[0107] In examples, the 1200 charging slot reservation module can provide a buffer slot between two successive charging slots offered to users. This buffer slot would allow a user who is running a little late retrieving their vehicle at the end of their charging slot to spend some time in the buffer slot (not assigned to a user) and avoid inconveniencing the next user, thus improving the experience for everyone. The Quality of Experience (QoE), a well-known metric in telecommunications, is greatly improved by implementing this buffer slot. In other words, implementing this type of slot further increases the utilization rate of the charging station by facilitating smoother user turnover.

[0108] The communication module 1300 of the control device 1000 is adapted to exchange data with the charging station 1. Communication between the control device 1000 and the charging station 1 can be wired or wireless.

[0109] In examples where the control device 1000 is configured to control a plurality of charging stations, the communication module 1300 can be adapted to exchange data with the plurality of charging stations.

[0110] In particular, the communication module 1300 of the control device 1000 is adapted to transmit to the charging station a reserved charging slot associated with the identifier of the holder who reserved the slot. In some examples, the communication module 1300 is configured to read a dedicated area of ​​the memory 1100 of the control device associated with a charging slot and a user identifier and transmit this data to the charging station.

[0111] It is important to note that the 1300 communication module of the device Control 1000 does not necessarily communicate directly with charging station 1. Indeed, the control 1000 device according to this disclosure allows in particular two communication architectures enabling it to exchange data with charging station 1.

[0112] According to a first communication architecture, the communication module 1300 communicates indirectly with the charging station 1 via a charge operator, designated by the English term Charge Point Operator (CPO). In this first architecture, the communication module 1300 communicates with the CPO charging operator, which then forwards the data to charging station 1. In this first architecture, the communication module 1300 can communicate with the charging operator using an open charge point interface protocol, generally referred to as Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI). The message can then be transmitted from the charging operator to charging station 1, for example, using an open charge point protocol, generally referred to as Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP). In this architecture, the control device 1000 can act as a first server, which exchanges data with the charging operator, which can in turn act as a second server, and this second server can then exchange data with charging station 1.An example of this first communication architecture is schematically represented in [Fig. 9]. In this [Fig. 9], the charging operator is identified by the reference CPO. This first architecture is economically advantageous since it allows the direct integration of the functionalities of the control device 1000 according to this disclosure while retaining the existing communication interfaces with the charging stations 1, which are implemented by the charging operators CPO. Furthermore, the implementation of this architecture, insofar as it proposes a control device 1000 as an entity independent of the charging operator CPO, which simply exchanges messages with this operator, does not risk causing software bugs on the CPO side, such as those that could appear in the context of software integration of the control device 100 with the CPO.

[0113] According to a second communication architecture, the control device 100 communicates directly with the charging station 1. A message transmitted by the communication module 1300 of the control device 1000 therefore does not pass through a charging operator (CPO) external to the control device 1000. Consequently, the communication module 1300 is configured to communicate directly with the charging station. An example of this second communication architecture is shown schematically in [Fig. 10]. In this second communication architecture, a message transmitted from the control device 1000 to the charging station 1, in particular a reserved charging slot accompanied by an identifier of the holder of the credentials who reserved this slot, can advantageously be communicated in accordance with an open charging point protocol (OCPP).In this second communication architecture, the 1000 control device can be directly integrated into a server with CPO load operator functionalities, which, although it may cause difficulties during software integration, helps to limit the costs associated with application maintenance. Software enabling the implementation of the 1000 control device and its interface with a CPO charging operator. Alternatively, the 1000 control device can be completely independent of the CPO charging operator and communicate directly with the charging station without using existing communication interfaces. In this alternative, the software functionalities of the 1000 control device could be developed and maintained without needing to ensure their compatibility with those of CPO charging operators.

[0114] In examples, the communication module 1300 is configured to, in the absence of a reservation by a user in a specific reservable charging slot, transmit to the charging station 1 a default charging slot corresponding to the specific reservable charging slot, and associated with the administrator's identifier.

[0115] The default charging slot designates a charging slot reserved for an administrator to reserve slots at the charging station that have not been reserved by a user. Thus, only the administrator could access the socket during charging slots not reserved by users, since only the administrator's identifier would be recognized by the charging station 1 as corresponding to the identifier of a potential user who could use the power supply module 20 of that station. These examples therefore make it possible to block access to the charging station during charging slots in which the station is not reserved for users who might try to use the station directly without a reservation. These examples are particularly advantageous in the context of a control device 1000 according to this disclosure.Indeed, in a situation where a user had reserved charging station 1 for a given time slot, and no reservation was scheduled immediately before that time slot, another user could have come to the station and used the charging module as soon as their user ID was recognized as belonging to one of the users registered with the station. Consequently, when the user who had reserved the station finally arrived with their vehicle at the start of their charging slot, the station would have been occupied by another user, making the slot reservation system less efficient. This clever feature, which allows an administrator to fictitiously reserve the station during time slots when no user has reserved it, prevents these types of situations that could degrade the user experience (i.e.degrade the quality of user experience) and lower the long-term occupancy rate of the charging station. Furthermore, a time slot reserved for an administrator can still be booked by a user. Specifically, when a reservable charging slot is booked by an administrator, for example, via a written entry. of the administrator's identifier in a dedicated area of ​​the memory associated with this charging slot, this charging slot is still kept in the list of reservable slots offered to users, unlike the slots offered to other users.

[0116] In examples, the slot reservation module 1200 can be configured to overwrite the administrator's identifier, in a dedicated area of ​​memory 1100 associated with a reserved recharge slot, with the identifier of the user who reserved that slot.

[0117] The control device 1000 may also include an evaluation module 1400.

[0118] In examples where the control device 1000 includes an evaluation module 1400, the communication module 1300 can further be adapted to receive a charging completion time from the charging station 1. The charging completion time is associated with the charging slot reserved by a user of the station and an identifier of that user. The evaluation module 1400 can then be configured to compare the charging completion time received from the charging station with the charging completion time of the charging slot reserved by the user and then, based on this comparison, determine an action.

[0119] In particular, when the received charging end time is later than the charging end time of the charging slot reserved by the station user, the evaluation module 1400 can be configured to determine an action penalizing the user who reserved the slot. In examples, determining an action penalizing the user may include at least one of the following actions: *reduce the number of bookable charging slots offered to that user, for example by selecting a sub-plurality of slots, from the plurality of bookable slots, to be presented to that user; *reduce the length of the bookable time slots offered to this user; * disable access to fast charging at a charging station with which the user is registered; or * decrease the number of points associated with this user. The number of points can, for example, be compared to an initial threshold to determine a penalizing action when this number of points falls below this initial threshold. The person in the business will obviously be able to think of other types of penalty actions that would encourage users of charging station 1 to respect the time slot they had reserved.

[0120] Conversely, when the received charging end time is earlier than or equal to the charging end time of the reserved charging slot, the evaluation module 1400 can be configured to determine an action rewarding the user who made the reservation the niche. In examples, determining a rewarding action for the user may include at least one of the following actions: *Increase the number of bookable charging slots offered to this user; *Increase the length of the bookable slots offered to this user; *activate access to fast charging at a charging station where the user is registered; or *Increase the number of points associated with this user. The number of points can, for example, be compared to a second threshold to determine a rewarding action when this number of points exceeds this second threshold. The person in charge can obviously think of other types of rewarding actions that would encourage users of charging station 1 to respect their reserved time slot.

[0121] This configuration of the 1400 evaluation module limits user overflow into time slots they did not reserve by incentivizing them to avoid penalizing actions and seek rewarding ones. As explained previously, one reason the charging station occupancy rate is limited is that users remain at the charging station location even while their vehicle is charging, or, in the case of this disclosure, after their reserved charging slot has expired. Consequently, another user who has reserved the next slot would be prevented from using the station because the previous user left their vehicle plugged in, thus reducing the fluidity of station use and, ultimately, its occupancy rate, thereby leading to the construction of new stations to create redundancy.

[0122] In examples, the control device 1000 may include a notification module 1500 adapted to transmit notifications to terminal users.

[0123] The 1500 notification module can, for example, be adapted to send a notification to a user who has reserved a charging slot, informing them during that slot that their charging time is about to expire. This prevents the user from forgetting their vehicle at the charging station and inconveniencing subsequent users. The user experience is thus improved.

[0124] The notification module can also be adapted to send a notification indicating an imminent start of a charging slot, or indicating an unavailability of a reserved charging station.

[0125] The control device 1000 according to this disclosure therefore makes it possible to increase the occupancy rate of a charging station, in particular a charging station with which it cooperates. In particular, some examples of this control device 1000 These features allow the charging station to operate on an exclusive reservation basis, restricting access to users who have reserved a time slot. This enables efficient sharing of the station among users and prevents situations where a reserved user arrives only to find the station occupied by another user, as the station was not reserved when that other user attempted to use it. Specifically, the control device 1000, as described in this disclosure, allows a group of users to share a charging station by offering and monitoring the booking of charging slots and by ordering the station to reserve these slots for their respective users. This ensures smooth operation of the station among its users, thereby increasing its occupancy rate.

[0126] This disclosure also proposes a 2000 charging system for electric vehicles comprising a charging station 1 according to any one of the examples presented in this disclosure and a control device 1000 according to any one of the examples presented in this disclosure. This 2000 charging system for electric vehicles is schematically illustrated in [Fig. 11].

[0127] Therefore, this disclosure proposes a charging station 1, a control device 1000, and a charging system 2000 that increase the utilization rate of the charging station (or multiple charging stations), thereby reducing the need to manufacture and integrate new charging stations 1 into the grid. This disclosure thus proposes solutions that reduce the environmental and financial impact of developing electric vehicle charging infrastructure, while simultaneously reducing the potential imbalances on the electrical grid that charging stations can cause by reducing the number of stations that need to be connected to the grid.

Claims

Demands

1. Charging station (1) for electric vehicles comprising: an identification module (10); a power supply module (20) adapted for charging an electric vehicle; and a data processing unit (30) configured to: obtain (110) a current charging slot associated with a specific identifier, the current charging slot being defined by: *a charging start time, and *a charging end time; receive (120), from the identification module (10), an identifier of a potential user of the charging station; compare (130) the specific identifier with the identifier of the potential user of the charging station; and if the identifiers match: perform (140) an action enabling the potential user to use the power supply module (20).

2. Charging station according to claim 1, wherein the power supply module (20) includes a charging socket (21) and a power supply circuit (24), and perform (140) an action enabling the potential user to use the power supply module includes: executing (141) instructions from a computer program to control the power supply circuit (24) so ​​as to supply power to the charging socket (21) of the power supply module.

3. Charging station according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the data processing unit (30) is also configured to: if the identifiers do not match: perform (150) an action prohibiting the potential user from using the power supply module during the current charging slot.

4. Charging station according to claim 3, wherein the power supply module (20) comprises a charging socket (21), and a power supply circuit (24), and performing an action (150) prohibiting the potential user from using the power supply module during the current charging slot includes: executing (151) instructions from a computer program to control the power supply circuit (24) so ​​as to cut off or keep cut off a power supply to the charging socket (21) of the power supply module.

5. Charging station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing unit (30) is configured to perform (140) the action enabling the potential user to use the power supply module if the identifiers match and if a current time is between the start time and the end time of charging of the current charging slot.

6. Control device (1000) for a charging station according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: a memory (1100) adapted to store a plurality of user identifiers registered with the charging station and an identifier associated with an administrator; the administrator and the plurality of users registered with the charging station forming the identifier holders;a charging slot reservation module (1200) configured to allow an identifier holder to reserve a charging slot at the terminal, from among a plurality of reservable charging slots, a charging slot being defined by: *a charging start time, and *a charging end time, and a communication module (1300) adapted to exchange data with the charging terminal, the communication module (1300) also being adapted to transmit to the charging terminal a reserved charging slot associated with the identifier of the identifier holder who reserved the slot.

7. A control device according to claim 6, further comprising an evaluation module (1400), wherein the communication module (1300) is further adapted to receive a charging end time from the charging station, the charging end time being associated with a reserved charging slot and a charging station user identifier; and in which the evaluation module (1400) is configured to: compare the charging end time received from the charging station and the charging end time of the charging slot reserved by the user; and if the received charging end time is later than the charging end time of the reserved charging slot: determine an action penalizing the user; or if the received charging end time is earlier than or equal to the charging end time of the reserved charging slot: determine an action rewarding the user.

8. Control device according to any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the communication module (1300) is configured to, in the absence of a user reservation in a specific reservable charging slot, transmit to the charging station a default charging slot, corresponding to the specific reservable charging slot, and associated with the administrator's identifier.

9. Control device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the charging slot reservation module (1200) is also configured to allow the charging station to be reserved on different slots by at least two credential holders, from among the plurality of credential holders.

10. Electric vehicle charging system comprising a terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a control device according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

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