Modularized interface and related method for connecting plug-in electric vehicles to the energy grid
First Claim
1. A modularized interface for connecting a plug-in electric vehicle to the energy grid comprising:
- a module integrated within or configured to be connected to a charging interface on the vehicle and connectable to a smart socket connected to the energy grid, the module comprising;
a security authentication device for authenticating and authorizing an end user;
a communication interface for forming a connection with a utility center;
a processor within the module for controlling operation of the module;
a switch that, when open, disables the module from delivering power to the vehicle, and, when closed, enables the module to deliver power to the vehicle;
wherein the processor within the module controls the module so that the module is normally disabled, and is enabled only after the module is authenticated using the security authentication device, the utility center authorizes the module, and an end user'"'"'s account, billing, credit, payment provision or combinations thereof using the connection is established via the communications interface with the utility center;
the smart socket comprising;
a processor within the smart socket for controlling operation of the smart socket;
at least one switch that, when open, disables the smart socket from delivering power to the vehicle, and, when closed, enables the smart socket to deliver power to the vehicle through the module;
wherein the processor within the smart socket controls the smart socket so that the smart socket is normally disabled, and is enabled only after the module, after being connected to the smart socket, identifies the smart socket and its associated meter, and user preferences, if any, regarding energy pricing or charging scheduling, pre-programmed into the module, are satisfied;
wherein the processor within the module meters energy consumption or discharge while energy flows to or from the vehicle through the modularized interface; and
wherein, when the module is disconnected from the smart socket, the processor within the smart socket disables the smart socket, and the processor within the module, after communicating the metered data to the utility center, disables the module.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This invention is directed to a modularized interface for connecting a plug-in electric vehicle to the energy grid. For use with public or semi-public outlets, the modularized interface comprises a module and a smart socket, where the module is integrated within or capable of being connected to, the vehicle'"'"'s charging interface. The module is normally disabled, but is enabled only after the end user is authenticated, the smart socket and its associated meter have been identified, and the module and the end user'"'"'s account with the local utility are validated. The module meters the energy consumption, and, when the module is disconnected from the smart socket, indicating termination of the charging session, the metered data is communicated to the utility for updating the end user'"'"'s account, and the module is disabled. The module is also capable of use with conventional outlets located, for example, in private residences.
25 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A modularized interface for connecting a plug-in electric vehicle to the energy grid comprising:
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a module integrated within or configured to be connected to a charging interface on the vehicle and connectable to a smart socket connected to the energy grid, the module comprising; a security authentication device for authenticating and authorizing an end user; a communication interface for forming a connection with a utility center; a processor within the module for controlling operation of the module; a switch that, when open, disables the module from delivering power to the vehicle, and, when closed, enables the module to deliver power to the vehicle; wherein the processor within the module controls the module so that the module is normally disabled, and is enabled only after the module is authenticated using the security authentication device, the utility center authorizes the module, and an end user'"'"'s account, billing, credit, payment provision or combinations thereof using the connection is established via the communications interface with the utility center; the smart socket comprising; a processor within the smart socket for controlling operation of the smart socket; at least one switch that, when open, disables the smart socket from delivering power to the vehicle, and, when closed, enables the smart socket to deliver power to the vehicle through the module; wherein the processor within the smart socket controls the smart socket so that the smart socket is normally disabled, and is enabled only after the module, after being connected to the smart socket, identifies the smart socket and its associated meter, and user preferences, if any, regarding energy pricing or charging scheduling, pre-programmed into the module, are satisfied; wherein the processor within the module meters energy consumption or discharge while energy flows to or from the vehicle through the modularized interface; and wherein, when the module is disconnected from the smart socket, the processor within the smart socket disables the smart socket, and the processor within the module, after communicating the metered data to the utility center, disables the module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A modularized interface for connecting a plug-in electric vehicle to the energy grid comprising:
a module integrated within or configured to be connected to a charging interface on the vehicle and connectable to a socket connected to the energy grid, said module comprising; a security authentication device for authenticating and authorizing an end user; a communication interface for downlink or bi-directional communication with a utility center; a processor within the module for controlling operation of the module; a switch that, when open, disables the module from delivering power to the vehicle, and, when closed, enables the module to deliver power to the vehicle; wherein the processor within the module controls the module so that the module is normally disabled, is enabled only after the module is connected to the socket, and the end user is authenticated and authorized using the security authentication device; wherein the processor within the module meters energy consumption while energy flows to the vehicle through the modularized interface; and wherein, when the module is disconnected from the socket, the processor within the module, after communicating the metered data to the utility center over the connection established via the communication interface, disables the module. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A process for connecting a plug-in electric vehicle to the energy grid through an off-vehicle modularized interface, comprising a module and a smart socket that is connected to the energy grid, the module configured to be connected to a charging interface on the vehicle and to the smart socket, the process comprising the steps of:
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authenticating and authorizing an end user'"'"'s account using a security authentication device within the modularized interface; forming a connection to a utility center through a communication interface; enabling the module only after the module is connected to the smart socket, the end user is authenticated and authorized using the security authentication device, and the module and the end user'"'"'s account using the connection established via the communication interface; enabling the smart socket, and enabling energy to flow to the vehicle, only after the module, after being connected to the smart socket, identifies the smart socket and its associated meter, and any user preferences regarding energy pricing or charging scheduling, pre-programmed into the module, are satisfied; metering energy consumption by the module while energy flows to the vehicle through the modularized interface; when the module is disconnected from the smart socket, disabling the smart socket, communicating the metered data to the utility center over the connection established via the communication interface, and disabling the module. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A process for connecting a plug-in electric vehicle to the energy grid through an off-vehicle modularized interface, comprising a module and a socket that is connected to the energy grid, comprising the following steps:
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authenticating and authorizing an end user using a security authentication device within the modularized interface; enabling the module only after the module is connected to the socket and the end user is authenticated and authorized using the security authentication device; enabling energy to flow to the vehicle through the modularized interface only after the end user is authenticated and authorized and any user preferences regarding energy pricing or charging scheduling, pre-programmed into the module, are satisfied; metering energy consumption with the module while energy flows to the vehicle through the modularized interface; forming a communication interface with a utility center; and when the module is disconnected from the socket, communicating the metered data to the utility center over the connection established via the communication interface, and disabling the module. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification