Dynamic Code Charging Station Fraud Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current charging station systems are vulnerable to fraudulent activities due to the ease with which scammers can replace scannable codes, leading to unauthorized payments and financial losses for users.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that generates and displays a dynamic code associated with charging station information, which requires a time-based token confirmation request from a user's electronic device, ensuring that the code is linked to the specific charging station and changing periodically to prevent fraudulent use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a static scannable code is provided on the charging station, then users can easily access the payment portal, but the code can be easily replaced by scammers to redirect users to fraudulent portals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to payment portalVSAvoidsecurity against fraud
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a dynamic code generation mechanism that creates time-based, randomly generated codes displayed on the charging station screen. These codes expire after a predetermined time period and must be entered by users to access the payment portal. This dynamic approach prevents fraud because the codes change continuously and cannot be statically replicated by scammers, while still providing easy access to users who simply need to enter the displayed code.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a dynamic code with time-based token verification is implemented, then security against fraudulent activities is improved, but the system complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against fraudVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating and storing multiple dynamic codes with their associated time-based tokens in the charging station's memory before they are needed. When a user requests access, the system selects and displays a pre-generated code rather than generating it in real-time through complex cryptographic operations. This approach maintains high security through time-based token verification while reducing processing requirements and system complexity by avoiding real-time code generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If real-time code generation and verification is performed, then security is enhanced, but energy consumption and processing power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity verificationVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-generating dynamic codes and their corresponding time-based tokens during periods of low energy consumption, storing them in memory for later use. This allows the charging station to maintain enhanced security through time-based token verification without requiring high processing power or energy consumption during actual user transactions, as the verification process simply compares user input against pre-generated tokens rather than performing complex real-time generation operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4468225A1A method for operating a charging station, a method of operating a server for a charging station, and a charging station device
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 MOVEYOU BV
  • EP4468225A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4468225A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4468225A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for operating a charging station, a method of operating a server for a charging station, and a charging station device. The method for operating a charging station comprises the steps of - providing a dynamic code; - displaying the dynamic code on a screen of the charging station, wherein the dynamic code is associated with charging station information relating to the charging station; - receiving a time-based token request from the electronic device, wherein the time-based token request is generated by a confirmation of a user on their electronic device after being shown the charging station information; - generating a time-based token based on the time-based token request; - displaying the time-based token on the screen of the charging station; - comparing a token confirmation request with the time-based token; and - displaying, when the token confirmation request is identical to the time-based token, a confirmation message on the screen of the charging station.