EV Charging Authentication via Bluetooth When Internet Is Unavailable
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Charging stations for electric vehicles often fail to authenticate users and charge sessions effectively when an Internet connection is unavailable, particularly in areas with poor or no cellular network reception.
Innovation Solution
Implementing certificate-based authentication using a wireless personal area network protocol, such as Bluetooth, to enable charging sessions offline, and recording charging session data for transmission to a user device or operator when the Internet is down.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If online authentication via charging station operator is used, then authentication security is improved, but system reliability deteriorates when Internet connection is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system is segmented into two independent parts: (1) certificate-based authentication using Bluetooth Low Energy for offline operation, and (2) online authentication via charging station operator when Internet is available. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability by switching between authentication methods based on Internet availability, while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
A certificate-based authentication mechanism using Bluetooth Low Energy serves as an intermediary solution when the primary online authentication path is unavailable. The Bluetooth connection acts as a mediator to enable authentication and data transfer between the charging station and user device without requiring Internet connectivity, thus maintaining system reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If certificate-based authentication via Bluetooth is implemented, then charging session availability is improved when offline, but data security may deteriorate compared to online authentication
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation mode based on Internet availability. When Internet is available, it uses the more secure online authentication path. When Internet is unavailable, it switches to certificate-based Bluetooth authentication. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain charging session availability while managing security risks by using the appropriate authentication method for each context.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares certificate-based authentication credentials in advance (beforehand) so that when Internet connection fails, the authentication can continue without interruption. This prior preparation cushioning ensures that users can still access charging services during Internet outages, maintaining service availability despite potential security compromises.
3Loss of information
If charging session data is transmitted to user device offline, then data loss is prevented, but transmission reliability may deteriorate without Internet connection
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing charging session data locally in a database on the charging station before Internet connection is lost. When Internet becomes unavailable, the system continues to record data locally and uses Bluetooth to transmit this pre-collected data to the user device. This preliminary data storage action prevents information loss while managing transmission reliability through alternative communication paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the charging session data and transmits it via Bluetooth to the user device when Internet is unavailable. This copying mechanism ensures data completeness by providing an alternative transmission path, while accepting that Bluetooth transmission may have different reliability characteristics compared to Internet-based transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for performing certificate-based authentication for a charging session of an electric vehicle are provided. Aspects include broadcasting, by a charging station, a charging station availability message, establishing a connection between a user device and the charging station via a wireless personal area network protocol, and receiving, by the charging station from the user device via the connection, a user certificate stored on the user device. Aspects also include validating, by the charging station based at least in part on a public key of the user certificate, the user certificate and enabling the charging session based on a determination by the charging station that the user certificate is valid. Aspects further include recording, by the charging station, charging session data and transmitting the charging session data to the user device based on a determination that an internet connection of the charging station is not available.