EV Charger Access Control Using Reservation Certificates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of electric vehicles face challenges in finding and reserving charging stations with the correct voltage and current parameters, and existing systems lack convenient payment and reservation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A web-based system that allows users to reserve and activate electric vehicle chargers or access devices using a digital token or certificate sent to a cellular telephone, which can then authorize charging or access by communicating with the charger via short-range wireless technologies, ensuring secure and reliable transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a random collection of charge stations is deployed, then charging coverage is improved, but users cannot easily find stations with correct voltage and current parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central server as an intermediary that maintains a database of charging station parameters and communicates with user devices via wireless communication. This intermediary resolves the information loss problem by providing accurate voltage and current parameter information from the server to users, eliminating the need for users to manually search for compatible stations.
2Ease of operation
If credit card payment systems are added to charge stations, then payment capability is improved, but reservation functionality remains unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional system where the charge station integrates both payment processing and reservation capabilities through wireless communication with user devices. The station can accept credit card payments, create reservations for future charging sessions, and provide real-time status information, making it a universal charging solution that handles multiple user needs.
3Loss of information
If internet connectivity is required for charging operations, then real-time information access is improved, but system reliability deteriorates in areas with unreliable internet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to make reservations and receive charging instructions in advance through wireless communication before arriving at the charging station. The system provides all necessary information including voltage, current, and connection procedures beforehand, so users can charge successfully even without real-time internet connectivity during the actual charging process.
Data Source
AI summary
An access control system for electric vehicle charging is provided that includes an access device, a secure reservation interface, a reservation server and a smartphone application installed on the smartphone. The access device includes a short-range wireless communication module connected to a processor having control of an electric vehicle charger. The secure reservation interface receives a reservation request for a reservation at a given destination. The reservation server receives the reservation request for the destination, issues a reservation certificate, and transmits the reservation certificate from the reservation server to a smartphone. The smartphone application has access to a short range wireless communication setting corresponding to the access device. The access device receives the reservation certificate from the smartphone application based on use by the smartphone application of the short-range wireless communication setting. The processor activates the electric vehicle charger based on at least the receipt of the reservation certificate.