EV Charging Interface With Utility Billing and Station Availability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging systems lack efficient consumer guidance and financial settlement management, particularly in private residences and public settings, where energy billing is not automatically integrated with utility accounts and public charging stations are not easily locatable via mobile devices or GPS.
Innovation Solution
The development of systems and methods for electric vehicle charging, including graphic user interfaces for mobile applications, websites, and point of sale terminals, which provide consumer profiles and EV charging terminal profiles, enabling improved information and control for consumers through network-based communication, allowing for reservation, billing integration with utility accounts, and real-time market pricing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If public charging stations use traditional payment methods (credit card or electronic payment), then payment can be processed at the time of charging, but the charging stations are not integrated with consumer utility billing and require separate payment transactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines public EV charging payment with utility billing systems by creating a unified billing platform that integrates charging transactions with existing utility account structures. This allows consumers to have charging costs automatically included in their regular utility bills, eliminating the need for separate payment transactions at charging stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The utility billing system is extended to serve multiple functions: traditional utility billing and EV charging payment. The system accommodates both residential utility billing and public charging station payments through a single integrated platform, allowing consumers to manage both through one account.
2Ease of operation
If EV charging stations are deployed in public locations, then charging accessibility is improved, but the stations are not readily identifiable or locatable via mobile devices, websites, or GPS navigation systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time information feedback to consumers about charging station availability, location, and status through mobile applications and websites. Consumers can query the system to receive updated information about which stations are operational, currently in use, or available for charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an information intermediary system consisting of mobile applications, websites, and GPS integration that mediates between consumers and charging stations. This intermediary layer provides consumers with location data, station status, and navigation guidance to find available charging stations.
3Ease of operation
If private residence charging stations are used, then charging convenience is improved, but energy financial settlements require automatic inclusion in utility billing which complicates the billing process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges private residence charging billing with the existing utility billing infrastructure. By integrating home charging transactions into the regular utility billing cycle, the system eliminates the need for separate payment processing while maintaining convenience for consumers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automatic enrollment and processing of home charging bills through the existing utility account system. Consumers who have utility accounts can automatically have their home charging costs included in their regular bills without requiring manual intervention or separate payment arrangements.
4Productivity
If real-time market pricing is implemented for EV charging, then energy usage optimization is improved, but the billing system complexity increases to handle dynamic pricing calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic pricing that adjusts charging rates based on real-time market conditions, energy availability, and demand. Pricing varies by time of day, grid conditions, and local market rates, allowing the system to optimize energy usage by encouraging charging during periods of lower demand or lower generation costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes pricing parameters dynamically based on market conditions, energy source composition (renewable vs. conventional), and grid demand. By adjusting price parameters in real-time, the system provides economic incentives for consumers to charge when energy is more abundant or sustainably sourced.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for electric vehicle (EV) charging and graphic user interface for consumers, including consumer profiles and EV point of sale terminal profiles. Novel methods for consumer guidance and controls are provided coupled with graphic user interfaces for mobile applications, websites, and electric vehicle point of sale terminals.