EV Charging Vehicle Recognition for Secure Energy Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging systems for electric vehicles face challenges in flexible and secure billing of energy costs, particularly due to technical limitations in recognizing vehicles and preventing fraud.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that obtain charging information and a vehicle identifier, and provide billing information only when the vehicle identifier matches a stored identifier, ensuring secure and flexible billing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a charging apparatus does not have the necessary technical equipment to recognize the vehicle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of billing information is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (separate from the charging apparatus) that performs vehicle recognition and billing information provision. This intermediary obtains vehicle identifiers, compares them against stored identifiers, and provides billing information to the charging apparatus, thereby enabling reliable billing without requiring the charging apparatus itself to have complex recognition equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle recognition and billing information processing functions are extracted from the charging apparatus and placed in a separate intermediary device. This allows the charging apparatus to remain simple while the billing reliability is maintained through dedicated recognition equipment elsewhere in the system
2Reliability
If vehicle recognition is implemented, then the reliability of billing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A separate intermediary device is introduced to handle vehicle recognition and billing information processing. This intermediary acts as a mediator between the vehicle and the charging apparatus, performing identifier comparison and billing information provision without requiring the charging apparatus to be complex
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses identifier copies (vehicle identifiers and stored identifiers) for comparison rather than requiring direct analysis of vehicle characteristics. The intermediary obtains and compares identifier data, which simplifies the recognition process while maintaining billing reliability
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible billing based on vehicle identity is implemented, then the adaptability is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses identifier copies (vehicle identifiers) that can be easily obtained and compared. The intermediary obtains the vehicle identifier and compares it against stored identifiers, enabling flexible billing decisions based on vehicle identity without complex detection or measurement processes
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle effectively provides its own identifier (first vehicle identifier) which the intermediary then uses for billing determination. The system leverages information that is already available from the vehicle itself, reducing the need for complex external detection or measurement
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes means configured to obtain charging information. The charging information indicates an electrical energy transferred from a charging apparatus to a vehicle. The means are configured to obtain a first vehicle identifier that identifies the vehicle. The means are configured to provide billing information when it is determined that the first vehicle identifier matches a second vehicle identifier. The billing information represents at least the electrical energy transferred to the vehicle.