Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Vehicle battery charging
The present invention relates to vehicles having batteries and more
particularly to
systems and methods for preventing unauthorised charging of such batteries and
vehicles.
The invention also extends to a charging station.
Recently there has been increased interest in environmental issues, and more
sustainable forms of transport. In this context, electric vehicles have gained
in popularity.
The electric vehicles may be fully or part electric. The main problems
associated with using
electric vehicles revolve around the need to recharge the vehicles
periodically. Typically
recharging of vehicles is accomplished by connecting a power lead from the
vehicle to a
connection provided at the charging station enabling power to be supplied,from
a power
source to the battery of the vehicle. Often it is necessary to recharge
vehicles when the
vehicle is away from home, and shared charging stations may be installed for
this purpose.
The users of such vehicles are billed for the electricity that they use at
these charging
stations. As such vehicles are often left unattended at these charging
stations during
charging, there is an associated risk of other users hijacking their charge by
unplugging the
power lead from the vehicle being charged and plugging it into their own
vehicle. The
dishonest user will thus be charging their vehicle at the legitimate user's
expense.
Furthermore, the legitimate user may return to find their vehicle not charged
as expected.
This problem is especially acute as the power leads used are often of standard
sizes such that
they fit many different types of vehicle.
The present invention seeks to solve the problems associated with the systems
of the
prior art.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a
method comprising the step of stopping power supply to a connector in response
to an
interruption in the power supplied to a battery of a vehicle via said
connector during
charging of the battery, wherein said interruption occurs while said connector
is connected
to a power supply means. This aspect of the present invention may provide a
method of
preventing charging of a battery of a vehicle.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a
system comprising means for stopping power supply to a connector in response
to an
interruption in the power supplied to a battery of a vehicle via said
connector during
charging of the battery, wherein said interruption occurs while said connector
is connected
to a power supply means. This aspect of the present invention may provide a
system for
preventing charging of a battery of a vehicle.
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The method and system of these aspects of the present invention address
problems
with the prior art as they may prevent use of the connector after a power
supply to a battery
of a vehicle is interrupted while the connector is still connected to the
power supply means.
When the power supply to the battery, via the connector, is interrupted, while
the connector
is connected to the power supply means, the power supply to the connector is
stopped. The
present invention may therefore prevent unauthorised use of the connector,
e.g. by someone
attempting to hijack another person's charge by disconnecting the connector
from one
vehicle and connecting it to another. Once the power to the connector has been
stopped, the
connector is then rendered useless to an unauthorised user as no current can
flow through
the connector, i.e. it is no longer live. This also brings safety benefits as
there is no risk of
electric shock from a disconnected connector, for example, due to an
unplugging of the
connector from the vehicle for any reason, or if the connector were to be cut
between its
ends for any reason.
Preferably, the connector is a flexible connector. In particularly preferred
embodiments, the connector is a power cable, which may be flexible.
Alternatively, the
connector may comprise a rigid body such as a rod or a bar. Preferably, the
connector has a
first end connected to the power supply means and a second end connected to a
vehicle
comprising the battery. The connector maybe connected to the vehicle in any
manner which
enables power to be supplied to the battery in use. The connector may be
directly or
indirectly connected to the battery. The connections between the ends of the
connector and
the vehicle and power supply means may be via electrical contacts or
induction.
The connector may be portable and carried in the vehicle so that it can be
used at
various power supply means. The first end of the connector is preferably
removably
connectable to the power supply means. Preferably, the second end of the
connector is
removably connectable to the vehicle. Preferably the first and second ends of
the connector
comprise plugs which cooperate with sockets on the power supply means and the
vehicle
respectively. Alternatively, the connector could be permanently connected to
the power
supply means at its first end, or to the vehicle at its second end.
The interruption to the power supplied may be due to any interruption
occurring
while the first end of the connector is connected to the power supply means.
The
interruption will be due to an event 'downstream' of the first end of the
connector. The
interruption may be due to an event occurring between first and second ends,
i.e. along the
length of the connector, or at the second end.
The interruption in the power supplied to the battery may be due to a
disconnection
of the second end of the connector from the vehicle. For example, the
second'end of the
connector may comprise a plug and the vehicle may comprise a complementary
shaped
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socket or vice versa, and the disconnection could be due to the unplugging-of
the-plug-or-
socket on the second end of the connector from the socket or plug on the
vehicle.
Alternatively, in other embodiments, the interruption in the power supplied to
the
battery may be due to damage to the connector between its first and second
ends. For
example, the connector could be fully or partially severed. This could be
caused
intentionally and maliciously, or could be merely accidental.
These interruptions could be caused by a person associated with the battery
being
charged or another person.
Preferably, the system comprises means for detecting the interruption in the
power
supplied to the battery.
Preferably, an authentication process is required to be performed after the
power
supply has been stopped and prior to any further power being supplied to said
connector.
The power supply to the connector may be restarted only once the
authentication process is
successfully completed. The authentication process may include requiring a
person wishing
to obtain power to be successfully authorised to do so. Authentication may
involve any steps
which may allow the system to establish that a person wishing to receive power
is entitled to
do so. It may involve requiring a person wishing to receive power to carry out
a verification
process. It may involve the person providing information actively or
passively. It may
require a person wishing to receive power to establish that they are entitled
to receive
power, e.g. to establish that they are registered to receive power, for
example by being
members of an association whose members may receive power.
The authentication process may comprise obtaining identification information
relating to a person wishing to obtain power. As such, the system may comprise
means for
obtaining such information. Identification information may be any type of
identifier such as
a username, a code or a password and may relate directly or indirectly to the
person. For
example, the information may be an identifier of the person or a vehicle
associated with the
person. The person wishing to obtain power may be the owner of the vehicle, or
merely a
user of the vehicle or any other person associated with the vehicle.
The authentication process may involve any number of steps and further
comprise
verifying whether the identified person is authorised to receive power, e.g.
by checking the
identification information against a database. This check could verify whether
the identified
person is a registered member of a charging system. It is particularly
preferred to obtain
identification information as this allows the system to access user accounts
for billing
purposes. However, the present invention is also applicable to methods where
the power is
supplied free of charge.
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In some embodiments, the authentication process may only be successfully
completed by the person authorised to receive the power being supplied to the
vehicle being
charged when the interruption occurred. Accordingly, subsequent power supply
may be
prevented if the identified person is not the person authorised to receive the
power being
supplied to the vehicle being charged when the interruption occurred. The
method may
comprise comparing the identity information obtained relating to the person
wishing to
obtain power to the identity of the person authorised to receive the power
being supplied to
the vehicle being charged when said interruption occurred. The method may then
further
comprise restarting power supply only if the identification information
matches.
In other embodiments, the authentication process may be deemed to be
successfully
completed by any person able to demonstrate that they are an authorised user
of the system.
This may avoid the power supply means being rendered inactive for long periods
until reset.
The authentication process may then comprise verifying that a person wishing
to obtain
power is entitled to do so and restarting power supply only if the person is
found to be an
authorised user of the system.
By only supplying power after an authentication process including obtaining
identification information, the system may know which user to charge for the
power
supplied and each user will only pay for the power that they have actually
used. It may also
be possible to detect when a person has unplugged another person's. connector
and plugged
it into their own vehicle, and, if desired, prevent any further power supply.
Identifying the person wishing to use the power supply means may require the
person to provide identification information in any manner. The person may be
required to
directly or indirectly provide information. The person may be required to
actively input
information or the method may comprise the person, or a device associated with
that person,
being interrogated in some way. Preferred methods of identification include:
interrogating
an identification device, e.g. an RFID chip or any other type of transponder,
an electronic
chip, a magnetic strip or a bar code; prompting a user to enter an identifier
e.g. a personal
identification number (PIN) or, password; biometric scanning such as
fingerprint or retinal
scanning; or any combinations thereof. In the preferred embodiment the
identification
means may comprise a sensor for obtaining identification information.
Preferably, the
sensor is arranged to interrogate a RFID key fob, carried by the person
wishing to use the
power supply means.
The identification means preferably 'looks up' the data received by the
identification
means in a database of registered users. If the received data matches that of
a registered
user, it will be assumed that the person wishing to use the power supply means
is that user
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and the identification of the person referred to above should be understood to
refer to the
person identified by the system on the basis of the information supplied to
it.
The identification means will preferably establish the actual identity of the
person
wishing to use the power supply means. However, this may not always be the
case if, for
example, the interrogated device, e.g. a RFID key fob, of one user is being
used by another
person, either legally or illegally. To prevent unauthorised use of, for
example a RFID key
fob, the person wishing to use the power supply means may also have to
directly input
information such as a PIN or password or undergo biometric scanning. This two-
stage
process could thus be similar to using bank cards having 'chip-and-pin'
functionality.
In accordance with the invention in any of its aspects and embodiments, in the
event
of an interruption, a person associated with the vehicle may be alerted via
email, text
message (SMS) or a telephone call. This may inform a person that they need to
return to the
vehicle to be re-authenticated to re-commence charging of the battery. This
person may be
the person authorised to receive the power being supplied when the
interruption occurred or
another person registered to receive such alerts. The system may check who is
registered to
receive such alerts using a database. In order that a user is not alerted when
they have
disconnected their own connector, the person may be required to be
authenticated before
disconnecting their connector from the power supply means. A certain time
delay could be
allowed after disconnection and before sending the alert so that if a person
disconnected the
second end of the connector from the vehicle first, they could then disconnect
the first end
of the connector from the power supply means, after being authenticated to do
so, without
causing the alert to be sent.
The detecting of the interruption, the stopping of the power supply means and
the
authentication processes may all be performed electronically, for example
using a processor
and associated software.
Preferably, the power supplied to the battery prior to the interruption is an
authorised power supply, and the method further comprises authorising the
power to be
supplied to the battery prior to the interruption. The method may further
comprise the steps
of requiring an initial authentication process to be performed before said
power is supplied
to the battery of the vehicle via the connector prior to the interruption. The
authentication
process used may be the same as that previously described in relation to the
authentication
which may occur after the interruption has occurred. The method may further
comprise the
step of supplying power to the battery prior to the interruption.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided
a method comprising the steps of detecting an interruption in an authorised
power supply
from a power supply means to a battery of a vehicle and requiring successful
reauthorisation
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prior to any further power being supplied from said power supply means. This
aspect of the
present invention may provide a method of preventing charging of a battery of
a vehicle.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
system
comprising means for detecting an interruption in the power supplied to a
battery of a
vehicle from a power supply means and means for requesting reauthorisation
prior to any
further power being supplied from said power supply means. This aspect of the
present
invention may provide a system for preventing charging of a battery of a
vehicle.
Again, the method and system of these aspects of the present invention address
problems with the prior art as they can prevent unauthorised use of a power
supply means
when an interruption in an authorised power supply from a power supply means
to a battery
is detected. When the power supply to the vehicle is interrupted, further
power supply is
prevented until a reauthorisation process is successfully completed.
An authorised power supply refers to one which is provided only after some
authorisation has occurred. This may be by direct or indirect reference to the
person wishing
to obtain the power, e.g. a person associated with the vehicle comprising the
battery
receiving the power supply, or the vehicle itself. The person may have
undergone an
authentication process, as previously described, prior to the power supply
being started. The
subsequent power supply is then said to be authorised.
A reauthorisation process is an authorisation process which is successfully
completed if it is determined that it is the person previously authorised to
receive power
from the power supply means at the time of the interruption who is undergoing
the
authorisation process.
These further aspects of the present invention may therefore prevent
unauthorised
use of the connector, e.g. by someone attempting to hijack another person's
charge by
disconnecting the connector from one vehicle and connecting it to another.
Once the power
to the connector has been stopped, the connector is then rendered useless i.e.
it is no longer
live, until the person associated with the vehicle is reauthorised. It also
brings safety
benefits as there is no risk of electric shock from a disconnected connector,
for example, due
to an unplugging of the connector from the vehicle for any reason, or if the
connector were
to be cut between its ends for any reason.
Preferably, the power supply from the power supply means to the battery is via
a
connector.
Preferably, the connector is a flexible connector. In particularly preferred
embodiments, the connector is a power cable, which may be flexible.
Alternatively, the
connector may comprise a rigid body such as a rod or a bar. Preferably, the
connector has a
first end connected to the power supply means and a second end connected to a
vehicle
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comprising the battery. The connector may be connected to the vehicle in any
manner which
enables power to be supplied to the battery in use. The connector may be
directly or
indirectly connected to the battery. The connections between the ends of the
connector and
the vehicle and power supply means may be via electrical contacts or
induction.
The connector may be portable and carried in the vehicle so that it can be
used at
various power supply means. The first end of the connector is preferably
removably
connectable to the power supply means. Preferably, the second end of the
connector is
removably connectable to the vehicle. Preferably, the first and second ends of
the connector
comprise plugs which cooperate with sockets on the power supply means and the
vehicle
respectively. Alternatively, the connector could be permanently connected to
the power
supply means at its first end.
The interruption to the power supplied may be due to any interruption
occurring
between the connector and the power supply means.
The interruption in the power supplied to the battery may be due to a
disconnection
of the second end of the connector from the vehicle. For example, the second
end of the
connector may comprise a plug and the vehicle may comprise a complementary
shaped
socket or vice versa, and the disconnection could be due to the unplugging of
the plug or
socket on the second end of the connector from the socket or plug on the
vehicle.
Alternatively, the interruption in the power supplied to the battery may be
due to a
disconnection of the first end of the connector from the power supply means.
For example,
the first end of the connector may comprise a plug and the power supply means
may
comprise a complementary shaped socket or vice versa, and the disconnection
could be due
to the unplugging of the plug or socket on the first end of the connector from
the socket or
plug on the power supply means.
Alternatively, in other embodiments, the interruption in the power supplied to
the
battery may be due to damage to the connector between its first and second
ends. For
example, the connector could be fully or partially severed. This could be
caused
intentionally and maliciously, or could be merely accidental.
These interruptions could be caused by a person associated with the battery
being
charged or another person.
Preferably, the system comprises means for detecting the interruption in the
power
supplied to the battery.
The power supply to the connector may be restarted only once the
reauthorisation
process is successfully completed. The reauthorisation process may include
requiring a
person wishing to obtain power to be successfully authorised to do so.
Authorisation may
involve any steps which may allow the system to establish that a person
wishing to receive
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power is entitled to do so. It may involve requiring such a person wishing to
receive power
to carry out any verification process. It may involve the person providing
information
actively or passively.
The reauthorisation process may comprise obtaining identification information
relating to a person wishing to obtain power. As such, the system may comprise
means for
obtaining such information. Identification information may be any type of
identifier such as
a username, a code or a password and may relate directly or indirectly to the
person. For
example, the information may be an identifier of the person or a vehicle
associated with the
person or an identification of a vehicle. The person wishing to obtain power
may be the
owner of the vehicle (comprising the battery), or merely a user of the vehicle
or any other
person associated with the vehicle.
The reauthorisation process may involve any number of steps, and may further
comprise verifying whether the identified person is authorised to receive
power, e.g. by
checking the identification information against a database. This check could
verify whether
the identified person is a registered member of a charging system. It is
particularly preferred
to obtain identification information as this allows the system to access user
accounts for
billing purposes. However, it is also envisaged that the power supply could be
provided free
of charge and the present invention is also applicable to such an arrangement.
The reauthorisation process may only be successfully completed by the person
authorised to receive the power being supplied to the battery being charged
when the
interruption occurred. Accordingly, subsequent power supply is prevented if
the identified
person is not the person authorised to receive the power being supplied to the
battery being
charged when the interruption occurred. The method may comprise comparing the
identity
information obtained relating to the person wishing to obtain power to the
identity of the
person authorised to receive the power being supplied to the battery being
charged when
said interruption occurred. The method may then further comprise restarting
power supply if
the identification information matches.
The system could however, be reset by a person authorised to do so by the
supplier,
e.g. an employee of the supplier such as a maintenance worker. This would
prevent charging
stations being inactive for long periods due to a person associated with the
vehicle not
returning to the vehicle to be reauthorised.
By only supplying power after this reauthorisation process including obtaining
identification information, it is possible to prevent further power supply
when a person has
unplugged another person's connector and plugged it into their own vehicle.
This will
dissuade persons from behaving in such a way, which is clearly undesirable as
the person
authorised to receive power prior the interruption may return to their vehicle
to find it
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disconnected, not charged as expected and/or another vehicle being charged at
their
expense. Hijacking of another person's supply is thus prevented by these
aspects of the
present invention.
Identifying the person wishing to use the power supply means may require the
person to provide identification information in any manner. The person may be
required to
directly or indirectly provide information. The person may be required to
actively input
information or the method may comprise the person, or a device associated with
that person,
being interrogated in some way. Preferred methods of identification include:
interrogating
an identification device, e.g. an RFID chip or any other type of transponder,
an electronic
chip, a magnetic strip or a bar code; prompting a user to enter an identifier,
e.g. a personal
identification number (PIN) or password; biometric scanning such as
fingerprint or retinal
scanning; or any combinations thereof. In the preferred embodiment the
identification
means may comprise a sensor for obtaining identification information.
Preferably, the
sensor is arranged to interrogate a RFID key fob, carried by the person
wishing to use the
power supply means.
The identification means preferably 'looks up' the data received by the
identification
means in a database of registered users. If the received data matches that of
a registered
user, it will be assumed that the person wishing to use the power supply means
is that user
and the identification of the person referred to above should be understood to
refer to the
person identified by the system on the basis of the information supplied to
it.
The identification means will preferably establish the actual identity of the
person
wishing to use the power supply means. However, this may not always be the
case if, for
example, the interrogated device, e.g. a RFID key fob, of one user is being
used by another
person, either legally or illegally. To prevent unauthorised use of, for
example a RFID key
fob, the person wishing to use the power supply means may also have to
directly input
information such as a PIN or password or undergo biometric scanning. This two-
stage
process could thus be similar to using bank cards having 'chip-and-pin'
functionality.
In accordance with the invention in any of its aspects and embodiments, in the
event
of an interruption, a person associated with the vehicle may be alerted via
email, text
message (SMS) or a telephone call. This may inform a person that they need to
return to the
vehicle to be re-authenticated to re-commence charging of the battery. This
person may be
the person authorised to receive the power being supplied when the
interruption occurred or
another person registered to receive such alerts. The system may check who is
registered to
receive such alerts using a database. In order that a user is not alerted when
they have
disconnected their own connector, the person may be required to be
authenticated before
disconnecting their connector from the power supply means. A certain time
delay could be
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allowed after disconnection and before sending the alert so that if a person
disconnected the
second end of the connector from the vehicle first, they could then disconnect
the first end
of the connector from the power supply means, after being authenticated to do
so, without
causing the alert to be sent.
Preferably, the method further comprises the step of requiring an initial
authorisation process to be performed before supplying power to the battery
via the
connector prior to the interruption. The authorisation process used may be the
authentication
process previously described with respect to the first aspect of the present
invention. The
method may further comprise the step of supplying power to the battery prior
to the
interruption.
In accordance with the invention in any of the above aspects and embodiments,
the
power supply means may provided by a charging station, and the power supply
means is
therefore a power supply means of a charging station.
The present invention extends to a charging station arranged to carry out the
methods in accordance with any of the aspects or embodiments of the present
invention.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
charging
station comprising means for supplying power to a battery of a vehicle via a
connector
connected to said charging station, means for detecting an interruption in the
power supplied
to the battery and means for stopping the power supply to said connector in
response to a
detected interruption. In a preferred embodiment, the charging station further
comprises
means for requiring and performing an authentication process prior to any
further power
being supplied to said connector.
In accordance with the invention in any of the above aspects and embodiments,
the
charging station may comprise at least one power supply socket. Preferably, a
plurality of
power supply sockets are provided such that the batteries of a plurality of
vehicles can be
charged simultaneously. Preferably, the charging station is self contained and
comprises all
means necessary for performing the methods of the present invention. In
particular, the
charging station may comprise'a processor for carrying out the steps of the
present invention
in any of its aspects and embodiments and associated software. Preferably, the
detecting of
the interruption, the stopping of the power supply, the authentication,
authorisation and/or
the reauthorisation processes may all be performed electronically using the
processor and
the associated software.
The charging station may be in the form of a tower.
In accordance with the invention any of the above aspects and embodiments, the
phrase "battery of a vehicle" preferably refers to a battery located in or on
the vehicle. The
vehicle comprising the battery may be a bicycle, a motorcycle, a car, a van, a
motor home, a
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wheelchair, a golf buggy, a boat, a jet-ski, a scooter, a buggy, a
disabled/older person
vehicle, a Segway , an Ireal or any other vehicle that comprises an battery
that can be
electrically charged.
The various aspects of the present invention are applicable to any vehicle
having an
electric battery for some purpose which needs to be recharged from time to
time. The
invention may be implemented in relation to one or more batteries of the
vehicle. The
battery is preferably a battery which is arranged to provide propulsive power
to the vehicle
in use. Preferably, the charging of the battery results in charging of the
vehicle, and in these
embodiments, references to charging the battery of the vehicle may
interchangeably refer to
charging of the vehicle. Preferably, the vehicle is therefore an electric
vehicle.
The vehicle may be an electric vehicle that runs fully or partially on
electricity.
References to electric vehicles, do not require that the vehicle is
necessarily fully electric in
operation, and the vehicle may only be partially electricized. For example,
some electric
cycles require a user to pedal for some time before the electric motor starts
to work, while
others are more similar to a motorbike, and only require pedalling in an
emergency, e.g. if
the electric motor fails. The electric vehicle may be run purely on
electricity or may also
comprise other propulsion means such as an internal combustion engine as in
a'hybrid'
engine.
Alternatively, the vehicle having a battery may not comprise electric
propulsion
means and may use the battery merely for powering accessories or auxiliary
loads such as
lights, electronics, air-conditioning, GPS, multimedia entertainment, engine
management,
alarm systems, immobilisers and engine ignition etc. For example, vehicles
such as boats
have batteries that require charging, for example in a marina. Of course, the
invention may
be used in relation to a battery of an electrically propelled vehicle which
battery is, however,
not used for the purpose of electric propulsion. Thus, the battery may be a
battery for
powering accessories or auxiliary loads even if the vehicle also has a battery
for providing
electric propulsion. Of course, the various aspects of the present invention
may be used in
relation to both types of battery on such a vehicle.
It will be appreciated that any references to charging of vehicles herein may
involve
full or partial recharging of the vehicle. For example, a vehicle may be
charged for the
duration of the time is connected to the power supply means which may or may
not be
sufficiently long to fully charge the vehicle.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
method
comprising the step of stopping power supply to a connector in response to an
interruption
in the power supplied to an electric vehicle via said connector, wherein said
interruption
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occurs while said connector is connected to a power supply means. In these
aspects, the
interruption therefore occurs during charging of the vehicle.
The present invention extends to the system of the invention in any of its
aspects or
embodiments in combination with the vehicle having said battery and/or in
combination
with said connector, and/or in combination with the power supply means, and/or
in
combination with the charging station.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
system
comprising: a vehicle having a battery; a power supply means; and a connector,
the system
further comprising means for stopping power to the connector in response to an
interruption
in the power supplied to the battery of the vehicle via the connector, wherein
said
interruption occurs while said connector is connected to said power supply
means.
It will be appreciated that in accordance with the invention in any of its
aspects and
embodiments, while the power supply is stopped in response to the
interruption, it may not
be a direct immediate result. Instead, it may be the result of a chain of
effects initiated by the
detection.
In accordance with the invention any of the above aspects and embodiments, the
method may further comprise the step of alerting a person associated with the
vehicle when
said battery is at or near full charge, and the system or charging station may
further
comprise means for detecting when a battery of a vehicle being charged is at
or near full
charge and means for alerting a person associated with a vehicle being charged
when a
battery of the vehicle is at or near full charge.
The alert may be in the form of any type of communication and may comprise a
message such as an email, a text message (e.g. SMS) or a telephone call.
Preferably, the
alert comprises a message sent to a mobile communications device of the
person.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
method of
charging a battery of a vehicle, comprising the step of alerting a person
associated with the
vehicle when said battery is at or near full charge. This alert will inform
the person that
their vehicle is nearly or fully charged. They may wish to return to their
vehicle as soon as
possible after receiving this alert.
The method may comprise the step of reducing or stopping the current supply to
the
battery when said battery is at or near full charge.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
system
comprising means for charging a battery of a vehicle, means for detecting when
a battery of
the vehicle being charged is at or near full charge and means for alerting a
person associated
with a vehicle being charged when a battery of the vehicle is at or near full
charge.
The system may be in the form of, or part of, a charging station.
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The alert may be in the form of any type of communication and may comprise a
message such as an email, a text message (e.g. SMS) or a telephone call.
Preferably, the
alert comprises a message sent to a mobile communications device of the
person.
Although it is described above that the alert is sent when the battery is at
or near full
charge, it is envisaged that an alert could instead be sent once the battery
has reached a
given level of charge other than at or near full charge, such as half charge.
References to the
alert being given when the battery is at or near full charge will then instead
refer to an alert
being sent when the battery reaches a given level of charge. The given level
may be a
predetermined e.g. preset level, which may be set by a user, who may e.g. be
the person to
whom the alert is sent. As used herein, the term 'near' should be understood
to mean within
10%, or preferably 5%, of the charge level in question.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
computer
program element comprising software code portions for performing a method
according to
any of the aspects or embodiment of the present invention, when the program
element is run
on data processing means.
The methods in accordance with the present invention may be implemented at
least
partially using software, e.g. computer programs. It will thus be seen that
when viewed
from further aspects the present invention provides computer software
specifically adapted
to carry out the methods herein described when installed on data processing
means, a
computer program element comprising computer software code portions for
performing the
methods herein described when the program element is run on data processing
means, and a
computer program comprising code means adapted to perform all the steps of a
method or
of the methods herein described when the program is run on a data processing
system. The
data processor may be' a microprocessor system, a programmable FPGA (field
programmable gate array), etc.
The invention also extends to a computer software carrier comprising such
software
which when used to operate a processor, or microprocessor system comprising
data
processing means causes, in conjunction with said data processing means, said
processor or
system to carry out the steps of the methods of the present invention. Such a
computer
software carrier could be a physical storage medium such as a ROM chip, CD ROM
or disk,
or could be a signal such as an electronic signal over wires, an optical
signal or a radio
signal such as to a satellite or the like.
It will further be appreciated that not all steps of the methods of the
invention need
be carried out by computer software and thus from a further broad aspect the
present
invention provides computer software, and such software installed on a
computer software
carrier, for carrying out at least one of the steps of the methods set out
herein.
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The present invention may accordingly suitably be embodied as a computer
program product for use with a computer system. Such an implementation may
comprise a
series of computer readable instructions either fixed on a tangible medium,
such as a
computer readable medium, for example, diskette, CD-ROM, ROM, or hard disk, or
transmittable to a computer system, via a modem or other interface device,
over either a
tangible medium, including but not limited to optical or analogue
communications lines, or
intangibly using wireless techniques, including but not limited to microwave,
infrared or
other transmission techniques. The series of computer readable instructions
embodies all or
part of the functionality previously described herein.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such computer readable
instructions can
be written in a number of programming languages for use with many computer
architectures
or operating systems. Further, such instructions may be stored using any
memory
technology, present or future, including but not limited to, semiconductor,
magnetic, 'or
optical, or transmitted using any communications technology, present or
future, including
but not limited to optical, infrared, or microwave. It is contemplated that
such a computer
program product may be distributed as a removable medium with accompanying
printed or
electronic documentation, for example, shrink-wrapped software, pre-loaded
with a
computer system, for example, on a system ROM or fixed disk, or distributed
from a server
or electronic bulletin board over a network, for example, the Internet or
World Wide Web.
The present invention in these further aspects of the invention may include
any or
all of the features described in respect of the other aspects and embodiments
of the invention
to the extent that they are not mutually inconsistent therewith.
Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by
way
of example only and with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of which:
Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a power supply means in the form
of a
charging station, which may be used in methods and systems in accordance with
one
embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 2 is a schematic view of a system for charging a vehicle in accordance
with
one embodiment of the present invention and including the charging station of
Figure 1.
Figures 1 and 2 show a power supply means in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention. According to this embodiment, the power supply means is
a charging
station 100. Such a facility could be provided in any suitable place such as
in a public or
private car park or on a pavement. Charging station 100 comprises at least one
power supply
socket 140 for supplying power to an electric vehicle 170 to charge the
vehicle. Each
charging station 100 could comprise a plurality of sockets 140, such that each
charging
station could simultaneously be connectable to a number of electric vehicles.
In particular,
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one socket may be provided on front panel 110 and another socket may be
provided on the
opposite back panel (not shown). The socket can be any 2 or 3 pin plug
compatible with
standard plugs in the relevant region.
, In one embodiment, the charging station 100 is in the form of a tower
containing all
necessary electronics and communications systems. This results in a secure,
compact system
that is resistant to damage and weather. It is connected to a mains source of
electricity. The
communication with the suppler may be via underground wires or wirelessly. The
charging
station may be a dual socket power tower, available from the Applicants, Park
& Power Ltd,
under model no. PTD09.2. The charging station may be constructed from
stainless steel,
powder coated mild steel or recycled plastic.
Each socket 140 is located in a compartment located behind a sliding door 120
having a handle 121. Figure 1 shows door 120 in a closed position. In Figure
2, the door 120
is in an open position, exposing socket 140.
A connector in the form of a power cable 160 connects the charging station 120
to
the vehicle 170. The power cable 160 comprises a plug 151 at its first end 150
which is
removably connectable to socket 140 on the charging station 120, as shown in
Figure 2.
Power cable 160 also comprises a plug 181 at its second end 180 (opposite to
the first end
150) which is removably connected to power supply socket 190 on vehicle 170,
in use to
charge the vehicle, as also shown in Figure 2. The power cable may be any
cable such as
those often supplied with vehicles for connection to charging stations.
The charging station includes means for verifying the identity of a person
wishing
to obtain charge before commencing power supply, for example to ensure that
they are
permitted to use the station and to determine who should be charged for the
power supplied.
The charging station may obtain identity information from a potential user and
compare this
to a list of authorised users or members of the charging system.
A sensor 130 is provided in order to obtain identification information from a
person
who wishes to use the charging station. The sensor 130 may detect a RFID chip
or any other
type of transponder, read a magnetic strip or a bar code or perform biometric
scanning such
as fingerprint or retinal scanning. In a preferred embodiment, the information
is obtained by
interrogating an RFID key fob in the proximity of sensor 130. Alternatively or
additionally,
means may be provided to prompt a user to enter a personal identification
number (PIN) or
password on a provided keypad.
Power supplied to the vehicle 170 serves to charge the vehicle battery or
batteries.
To fully charge the battery or batteries could take a very short time or a
rather long time,
such as hours, or even days. Once fully charged, the power cable 160 may
continue to be
live, for example a trickle charge may continue. The amount of electricity
supplied is
CA 02771686 2012-02-20
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monitored for billing purposes by a metering system. Means for detecting an
interruption in
the power supplied to the vehicle is provided within the charging station 100.
These means
preferably comprise electronics such as a processor and associated software.
The detection
means may be part of, or associated with the electricity metering system.
Operation of the system will now be described. A person wishing to charge
their
electrical vehicle arrives at charging station 100. To charge their vehicle,
the person
connects the power cable 160 to the charging station 100 by inserting plug 151
into socket
140. In order to do this, the user may have to be authenticated. For example,
the door 120
may be locked until a person is identified and their details checked, e.g. by
presenting a
valid RFID tag to sensor 130. The door may be locked using a solenoid bolt
which can be
operated electronically in response to a successful authentication. Once the
user has been
authenticated, the door 120 is unlocked and can be lifted via handle 121 to
expose socket
140. Once the plug 1.51 is connected to socket 140, power can be supplied to
the power
cable ' 160. However, as an extra safety feature, the power cable 160 may only
be made live
once its second end 180 is connected to the vehicle 170. This would prevent
the risk of
electric shock from any exposed terminals at the second end 180 of the power
cable 160.
In order to charge the vehicle 170, the plug 180 of the power cable 160 is
connected
to socket 190 on vehicle 170 and power is supplied to the power cable 160.
Alternatively, the user may connect the second end 180 of the power cable 160
to
the vehicle 170 prior to connecting the first end 150 to the charging station
100.
According to a first embodiment of the present invention, in response to an
interruption to the power supply to the vehicle 170 occurring while the cable
160 is
connected to the power supply, the power supplied to the power cable 160 is
stopped. If the
disconnection occurs between the second end 150 of the power cable 160 and the
vehicle
170, then the unconnected second end 15,0 will not be live. If the
disconnection occurs at a
location between the first and second ends 150, 180, for example due to the
power cable 160
being severed, the cable 160 again will not be live. This is clearly
beneficial on safety
grounds, as the risk of electric shocks is reduced. Stopping power supply to
the power cable
160 also prevents another user plugging the power cable 160 into their vehicle
and receiving
power for which they are not billed.
In order for the power supply to be recommenced an authentication process must
be
successfully completed. This includes the person wishing to obtain power being
identified
by presenting a RFID tag to the sensor 130 and/or inputting a PIN or password
as described
above. The system can then verify whether the identified person is authorised
to receive
power. Preferably this involves comparing the identity of this person to the
person
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previously authorised to charge their vehicle and only allowing power supply
if these two
persons match.
According to a second embodiment of the present invention, in response to a
detection of an interruption to the power supply to the vehicle 170, further
power supply is
prevented until a reauthorisation step is successfully completed. The power
cable 160 and
the power supply socket 140 will not be live. The reauthorisation step
comprises identifying
a person wishing to obtain power, as described above and comparing the
identity of this
person with that of the person authorised to receive power at the time of the
interruption. It
can only be successfully completed by the previously authorised person. As
mentioned
previously, the system could however, be reset by a person authorised to do so
by the
supplier, e.g. an employee of the supplier such as a maintenance worker.
According to either embodiment, upon detection of the interruption and.
subsequent
stopping of the power supply, an alert may be sent to a person associated with
the vehicle
170 being charge to notify them that the charging process has been
interrupted. Upon
detection of the interruption, the system can look up which person should be
notified and
their contact details and send an alert to that person. The alert is
preferably in the form of a
text message (SMS) to a mobile phone. As the person that caused the
interruption could be
the person authorised to receive power at that time, then it is preferable for
a time delay to
be provided before sending the alert. This would give the person time to
undergo another
authentication process either in order for the power supply to be recommenced
or, at the end
of the desired charge, for the sliding door 120 to be opened so that the
second end 180 of the
power cable 160 can be accessed and disconnected. Successful completion of
this
authentication process would prevent the alert being sent.
According to either embodiment, once successfully authenticated or
reauthorised,
power supply can once again be provided to the connector 160. The power supply
will again
be monitored for billing purposes and to detect any further interruptions.
17
