EV Charging Station Check-In Using Beacon-Based Dual Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric vehicle charging systems require manual user intervention for check-in, which is cumbersome, and existing automated methods are insecure due to the risk of vehicle identifier spoofing.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dual authentication system that uses a combination of wireless beacon signals and biometric or location-based authentication to securely and seamlessly initiate charging operations at electric vehicle charging stations without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automated check-in using vehicle identifier look-up is implemented, then user convenience is improved by eliminating manual intervention, but security deteriorates due to the risk of vehicle identifier spoofing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a beacon system as an intermediary authentication layer. Instead of relying solely on vehicle identifiers that can be spoofed, the system uses beacon signals transmitted by the charging station and received by the user's mobile device as a mediator to verify legitimate presence. This intermediary mechanism prevents unauthorized charging while maintaining automated convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authentication actions by requiring the user's mobile device to receive and verify beacon signals from the charging station before initiating charging. This preliminary verification step ensures that only authorized users can start charging, preventing spoofing attacks while maintaining automated operation.
2Reliability
If dual authentication with biometric or location verification is added, then security is improved by preventing unauthorized charging, but device complexity increases due to additional authentication components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service authentication where the user's existing mobile device performs verification functions. The mobile device's location services or biometric capabilities are leveraged to verify user presence and identity without requiring additional authentication hardware at the charging station, thus improving security while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the user's mobile device for multiple functions: receiving beacon signals, verifying location through GPS or other location services, and performing biometric authentication. This multi-functional approach leverages existing device capabilities rather than adding separate specialized components, reducing overall system complexity while enhancing security.
Data Source
AI summary
A server system receives, from an electric vehicle charging station, an identifier of a vehicle that has been plugged into the electric vehicle charging station (EVCS). In response to receiving the identification of the vehicle, the server system performs a lookup of the identification of the vehicle to determine that a first user is associated with the identification of the vehicle and determines whether the first user is within a predefined area relative to the EVCS. In accordance with a determination that the first user is within the predefined area relative to the EVCS, the server system transmits, to the EVCS, an instruction to initiate an operation at the EVCS.