EV Charging Node for Monetizing Idle Vehicle Computing Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to utilize idle computing power in electric vehicles for additional applications such as parallel, distributed, edge, and blockchain computations, while also offsetting the cost of owning the vehicle by monetizing this power.
Innovation Solution
A charging infrastructure and remote computing system that allows electric vehicles to perform computing tasks received from a remote server while being charged, with the vehicle controller accepting tasks and communicating with the charging station to supply electrical power, enabling the monetization of idle computing power through task packets and billing mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the electric vehicle performs computing tasks while being charged, then the idle computing power is utilized for additional applications, but the system complexity increases due to coordination between charging infrastructure and remote computing system
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the computing tasks into discrete task packets that can be independently managed and processed. Each task packet is a separate unit that can be sent to the vehicle controller, executed, and monitored independently, simplifying the overall system coordination while enabling productive use of computing resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging infrastructure acts as an intermediary between the remote computing system and the electric vehicle. It receives task packets from the remote system, forwards them to the vehicle controller, and coordinates the execution timing with charging operations, thereby managing system complexity through a dedicated intermediary component.
2Productivity
If the vehicle controller accepts computing tasks from remote server, then computing power is monetized to offset vehicle ownership cost, but the reliability of vehicle operations may be affected by additional computational loads
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle controller evaluates and accepts computing tasks in advance before they are executed. By pre-assessing task requirements and compatibility with vehicle operations, the system ensures that computational loads will not compromise vehicle reliability, while still enabling monetization of available computing power.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes only the idle computing power that is not required for essential vehicle operations. By carefully selecting and limiting computational tasks to those that can be performed with excess capacity, the system monetizes available resources without affecting the reliability of core vehicle functions.
3Productivity
If computing tasks are executed during charging sessions, then cost offset is achieved through monetization, but the time available for computing tasks is constrained by charging duration
Solution Approach 1:
The system executes computing tasks in periodic intervals during charging sessions. Task packets are sent, executed, and completed in cycles that align with charging phases, allowing the system to maximize productivity within the constrained charging time window while achieving cost offset through monetization.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for using idle computing power of an electric vehicle includes sending the computing tasks and the task rates for performing the computing tasks to a vehicle controller of the electric vehicle and receiving an acceptance signal from the vehicle controller. The acceptance signal is indicative that the vehicle controller accepted to perform the computing tasks. The method further includes commanding a charging infrastructure to supply electrical power the electric vehicle while the vehicle controller performs the computing tasks.