Touch Screen EV Charging Station Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging stations lack an efficient and user-friendly interface for authentication, operation, and troubleshooting, which hinders safe and efficient charging processes.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a touch screen display device in electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs) and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) that allows users to input information, access instructions, and engage in interactive sessions for troubleshooting, along with a network communications system for prioritizing and managing messages between EVCSs/EVSEs and a back office server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional button or keypad interfaces are used in EVCS, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to limited input capabilities and lack of visual feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical button/keypad interfaces with a touch screen display that provides graphical user interface capabilities. This substitution enables visual feedback, multiple input methods (touch, stylus), and richer information display while maintaining relatively simple hardware architecture through the use of standard touch screen technology.
2Ease of operation
If comprehensive troubleshooting and instructional content is provided through the interface, then ease of operation improves, but loss of information increases due to the need to display extensive text and graphics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the two-dimensional display area of the touch screen to present comprehensive troubleshooting instructions, diagrams, and interactive guides simultaneously. This dimensional approach allows multiple layers of information to be displayed without requiring excessive text scrolling, maintaining information completeness while improving user accessibility.
3Reliability
If real-time communication capabilities are added for maintenance personnel to contact operators, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases due to additional communication hardware and software
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates communication functionality into the existing touch screen interface, allowing the same display and processing hardware to serve both user interaction and maintenance communication purposes. This multi-functionality enables real-time chat, video conferencing, and file transfer capabilities without requiring separate dedicated communication hardware, thus improving reliability while controlling complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple charging ports are managed with individual authorization screens, then adaptability improves, but productivity decreases due to repeated authorization steps for each port
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a master authorization screen that processes user credentials once and then automatically grants access to multiple charging ports. This preliminary authorization action eliminates the need for repeated authentication steps when switching between ports, maintaining adaptability for multi-vehicle charging while significantly reducing setup time and improving productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for using and operating electric vehicle charging stations (“EVCSs”) or electric vehicle supply equipment (“EVSE”) having a touch screen. The touch screen display device can be used, for example, to facilitate user interface with the EVCS/EVSE. The touch screen display apparatus can provide a quick and efficient means for a user to input a wide variety of information. Also disclosed herein are representative embodiments of a network communication system for EVCSs or EVSE.