ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION MOBILE DEVICE PAYMENT SYSTEM

• US 20140067680A1
• Filed: 08/29/2013
• Published: 03/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Opconnect LLC
• Original Assignee: Optimization Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Turner, Dexter
• Granted Patent: US 9,436,944 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/44
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/145 Payments according to the detected use or quantity
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3276 using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being read by the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/425 using two different networks, one for transaction and one for security confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/005 dispensed for the electrical charging of vehicles electrical charging as such, B60L50/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations

Abstract

Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for a mobile device payment system for electric vehicle charging stations (“EVCSs”) or electric vehicle supply equipment (“EVSE”). This system can be used to control the access to EVCS or EVSE and to ensure proper billing for the use of EVCS or EVSE.

Claims

1. A method performed by a mobile device, the method comprising:

by computing hardware in the mobile device,

reading encoded charging session data that is being displayed on a display device of an electric vehicle charging station (“

EVCS”

) or electric vehicle supply equipment (“

EVSE”

);

decoding the charging session data;

combining the charging session data with user identification data to form a dataset;

transmitting the dataset to a remote server; and

receiving a response from the remote server, the response indicating whether a vehicle charging operation is authorized at the EVCS or EVSE.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging station data is encoded in a QR code, barcode, or alphanumeric code.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the reading is performed using an image sensor in the mobile device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging station data comprises one or more of a unique identification of the EVCE or EVSE, a unique charging session identification number, or a charging session start date and time.

5. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions which when executed by a computer processor cause the computer processor to perform the method of claim 1.

6. A method, comprising:

by computing hardware,

receiving data transmitted from a mobile device, the data comprising charging session data indicating at least an identity of a charging station and user identification data indicating at least an identity of a user at the charging station;

determining whether to authorize a charging operation at the charging station for the user, wherein the determining is based at least in part on the received data; and

transmitting an indication of whether the charging operation is authorized to the charging station.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising transmitting the indication of whether the charging operation is authorized to the mobile device.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the data transmitted from the mobile device additionally comprises one or more of a unique charging session identification number or a charging session start date and time.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

receiving completed charging session data from the charging station; and

computing a cost for the charging session.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the completed charging session data comprises one or more of a unique charging session identification number, a charging session end date and time, an indication of the energy consumed during the charging session.

11. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions which when executed by a computer processor cause the computer processor to perform the method of claim 6.

12. A method performed by an electric vehicle charging station (“

EVCS”

) or electric vehicle supply equipment (“

EVSE”

), the method comprising;

displaying encoded charging session data on a display device of the EVCS or EVSE; and

receiving an indication from a remote computer of whether charging at the EVCS or EVSE is authorized.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the displaying is prompted by a user selecting to use a payment method that involves the use of a mobile device.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

prior to displaying the encoded charging session data, displaying on the display device graphical depictions of two or more available methods of authorizing the charging operation, wherein one of the available methods of authorizing the charging operation includes authorization through use of an application residing on a mobile device; and

receiving an indication that the method of authorization through use of an application residing on a mobile device has been selected.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the charging station data comprises one or more of a unique identification of the EVCE or EVSE, a unique charging session identification number, or a charging session start date and time.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the encoded charging session data is displayed as a QR code, barcode, or alphanumeric code.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting to the remote computer an indication that the charging session associated with the encoded charging session data has been completed.

18. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions which when executed by a computer processor cause the computer processor to perform the method of claim 12.

19. A method of controlling access to and payment for the use of an electric vehicle charging station (“

EVCS”

) or electric vehicle supply equipment (“

EVSE”

), comprising;

displaying encoded charging session data on a display device of the EVCS or EVSE;

reading the encoded charging session data on an EVCS or EVSE display device with a mobile device;

combining charging session data and a user'"'"'s identification data into a dataset that will be used to determine the user'"'"'s authority to use the EVCS or EVSE;

determining whether a user is authorized to complete a charging session on the EVSE or EVSE, the determining being based at least in part on the dataset; and

controlling a charging operation that provides an electric charge to batteries of an electric vehicle based on the determination.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising completing a financial transaction for the charging operation, where the total cost of the charging operation is not known until the completion of the charging operation.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the determining comprises:

receiving the user'"'"'s identification data at a back office server; and

determining whether the user is authorized to use the EVCS or EVSE based at least in part on the user'"'"'s identification data and the charging session data.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the determining further comprises accessing user data stored at the back office server.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the user'"'"'s identification data is stored at the mobile data, and wherein the method further comprises:

transmit from the mobile device at least a portion of the user identification data and the charging session data read from the EVCS or EVSE to a remote computer via wireless communication; and

receiving a response from the remote computer indicating whether the user is authorized to use the EVCS or EVSE.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

displaying on the display device graphical depictions of two or more available methods of authorizing the charging operation, wherein one of the available methods of authorizing the charging operation includes authorization through use of an application residing on a mobile device and communicating with a remote server; and

receiving data through the touch screen interface indicating that the user touched a selected one of the graphical depictions.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein one of the available methods of authorizing the charging operation includes authorization through use of an application residing on a mobile device and communicating with a remote server.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein the controlling the charging operation comprises receiving a message from a remote computer indicating that the user is authorized to use the EVCS or EVSE.

27. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions which when executed by a computer processor cause the computer processor to perform the method of claim 19.

28. An internet-connected mobile device programmed to:

read encoded charging session data from an EVCS or EVSE display screen;

access a database on the mobile device that includes a user identification; and

wirelessly transmit the charging session data and the user identification to a remote server.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the encoded charging session data is encoded in a QR code or barcode.