Electric Vehicle Charging Transaction Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric vehicle charging infrastructure is rudimentary and lacks the complexity to manage various aspects of charging transactions, such as identifying principals, generating energy transaction plans, and settling financial obligations, especially when charging occurs at off-vehicle stations not owned by the vehicle owner.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that identifies principals involved in an electric vehicle charging transaction, retrieves relevant information, generates an energy transaction plan, and initiates the charging phase, which includes charging, storing, or de-charging the vehicle, while settling financial obligations based on the plan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rudimentary charging infrastructure is used, then the system is simple to implement, but it cannot manage complex charging transactions involving multiple principals and financial obligations
Solution Approach 1:
The charging transaction management system is segmented into distinct functional modules: principal identification module, information retrieval module, energy transaction plan generation module, charging phase initiation module, and financial obligation settlement module. Each module handles a specific aspect of the complex transaction process, allowing the system to manage versatility while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computer system that mediates between multiple principals (electric vehicle owner, charging station operator, electricity provider) in the charging transaction. This intermediary coordinates information exchange, generates transaction plans, and manages financial settlements, enabling complex multi-party transactions without requiring direct complex interactions between all principals.
2Reliability
If comprehensive transaction management is implemented, then all financial obligations can be properly settled, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service functionality where the computer automatically identifies principals, retrieves charging information, generates energy transaction plans, and settles financial obligations without requiring manual intervention. The automated workflow ensures reliable financial settlement while maintaining ease of operation through plug-and-charge functionality where the vehicle simply connects to the charging station.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying all principals involved in the charging transaction and pre-retrieving necessary charging information before the actual charging begins. Energy transaction plans are generated in advance, and financial obligations are calculated and settled automatically after charging completion, ensuring reliability without complicating the user experience.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple principals are identified and managed, then the charging transaction becomes more comprehensive, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computer system is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple types of principals (electric vehicle owners, charging station operators, electricity providers, financial institutions) and various charging transaction scenarios through a unified platform. This multi-functional design enables comprehensive transaction coverage while avoiding the need for separate specialized systems for each principal type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses standardized data structures and communication protocols that create reusable templates for principal identification and information exchange. By copying and adapting these standardized formats across different transaction scenarios and principal types, the system achieves comprehensive coverage without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a computer manages an electric vehicle charging transaction. A set of principals is identified associated with the charging transaction for an electric vehicle. A principal is an entity having an interest in the charging transaction. Electric vehicle charging information is retrieved from a set of sources. An energy transaction plan is generated during a pre-charge phase using the electric vehicle charging information and based on preferences of one or more principals to govern the charging transaction. The computer initiates a charging phase of the electric vehicle charging transaction for an electric vehicle connected to a charging station according to the energy transaction plan. The charging phase comprises charging the electric vehicle with electricity, storing electricity in the electric vehicle, and removing electricity to de-charge the electric vehicle. The computer settles the financial obligations among principals according to the energy transaction plan.