Blockchain Smart Contract for EV Charging Payment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for managing electric vehicle charging fail to provide secure, transparent, and seamless payment options, leading to operational challenges for utility suppliers and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a consensus system like blockchain to manage electric vehicle electricity contracts, where a processor identifies and validates smart contracts associated with electric vehicles, creating and applying charging transactions securely and efficiently across multiple charging points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing systems are used for managing electric vehicle charging, then operational simplicity is maintained, but security and transparency of payment options deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity and transparency of paymentVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A blockchain-based intermediary layer is introduced between the charging point and the utility supplier. This intermediary automatically executes smart contracts that encode payment terms, verifying charging transactions and facilitating secure payments without requiring direct trust or complex bilateral agreements between parties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service through autonomous smart contracts that automatically execute payment transactions when charging conditions are met. The blockchain network independently validates and records transactions, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex centralized authentication systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If existing systems are used for managing electric vehicle charging, then infrastructure simplicity is maintained, but consumer expectations for seamless payment are not met

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseamless payment experienceVSAvoidbackend system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Payment transactions are executed autonomously through smart contracts that automatically calculate charges based on energy consumed and execute payments when charging completes. This self-service mechanism provides consumers with seamless payment experiences while the complex contract execution and verification occur automatically in the background.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automatic feedback loops where charging data is continuously monitored, smart contract conditions are evaluated in real-time, and payment transactions are automatically triggered when predefined conditions are met, creating a seamless end-to-end process for consumers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If traditional charging management is used, then operational costs are controlled, but utility suppliers face operational challenges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidmanagement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Smart contracts autonomously manage charging transactions, automatically verifying energy delivery, calculating payments, and executing transfers. This self-service capability significantly improves operational efficiency by eliminating manual transaction processing while the blockchain infrastructure handles the complexity of contract execution and verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The blockchain intermediary layer streamlines operations by providing a standardized platform for transaction verification and payment execution. This intermediary handles the complexity of multi-party coordination, contract enforcement, and settlement automation, allowing utility suppliers to achieve higher productivity without directly managing the underlying system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11186196B2Managing the provisioning of electricity for an electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.11.30 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US11186196B2 patent drawing
  • US11186196B2 patent drawing
  • US11186196B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method for managing the provisioning of electricity to an electric vehicle includes identifying an electric vehicle when the electric vehicle connects to a charging point; determining whether the electric vehicle is associated with a smart contract; validating the smart contract associated with the electric vehicle; creating a charging transaction for charging the electric vehicle; and applying the smart contract associated with the electric vehicle against the charging transaction. The electric vehicle electricity contract management system and method may use a consensus system such as a distributed ledger system or blockchain.