DECENTRALIZED NETWORK OF ELECTRIC CARS CHARGING STATIONS

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of priority of US Provisional Application No. 63/245,978 filed September 20, 2021. The contents of this application are incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Field of invention

The present disclosure relates to charging stations for electric vehicles, more particularly to a system and method for creating a decentralized charging network for charging electric vehicles.

Background of invention

The proliferation of electric cars is imminent, as a clean and viable replacement for cars using conventional internal combustion engines. With technology consistently improving, it is conceivable that the percentage of electric cars will grow.

This opens a possible new market for individuals to provide electric charging stations from their homes. At the moment charging stations follow the old convention of gas stations. A station at the side of the road with a few charging stations in a row. However, unlike gas stations, where the gas had to be distributed regularly and stored in tanks in special stations, the electric grid is connected to every house and establishment.

Another datapoint to consider is the difference in the time it takes to charge an electric car. It takes about 5 minutes fill a gas tank in a car, but the fastest charging stations in use at the moment take 30 minutes to charge about 80% of a car’s battery. The forecast today is for this time to go down to about 20 minutes in the next 5-10 years. At the moment, when the percentage of electric cars in operation is low, there is no noticeable problem with overcrowded charging stations, but in the future there will be a big timing problem. When a charging station has three chargers, all are being used, a person coming into the station may have to wait for 20-30 minutes for his turn. When a line forms in a busy station, people might have to wait for 40 minutes or more for a charge, that will then take 20-30 minutes more.

US patent 9,620,970 refers to a system of a network-based management of electric charging. This patent deals with managing the charger, for example, charging times, allowing multiple cars to be charged using a single charger. This patent does not include a navigation service, nor the distribution of charging station at residential homes.

EP patent 2894436 refers to a network-based system that detects the charge level of an EV vehicle, detects its GPS coordinates, and guides the vehicle to the nearest free charging station. This patent is close the present invention; however, it does not contain a built-in navigation system, pre-ordering charging, etc. The present invention is made specific for connecting residential charging stations to EV drivers, and so allow EV charging to be more distributed, allow residential buildings to profit from EV charging, and allow them to sell further amenities.

In view of the above, there is still an unmet long-felt need for a decentralized network of charging stations to allow individuals to offer electric vehicle charging services, as well as other services during the charge time.

Summary of the invention:

It is thus one object of the present invention to disclose a system for creating a network of electric vehicle charging stations (both commercial and non-commercial), comprising a server containing at least one processor, wherein an electric charging provider registers to the system, an electric car owner plans a travel route, the system shows possible charging stations along the selected route, said user navigates to a proposed charging station, said user charges his electric vehicle.

It is another object of the present invention to describe a system where private residential charging stations are registered as providers. The system can further include a navigation service of its own, or connect via API to another navigation service, e.g. google maps, waze, bing maps, etc.

It is another object of the present invention to describe a system where the system can calculate battery charge and usage over mileage. The system can use this data to predict where the vehicle would need a recharge. The system can also automatically reserve a time spot for charging along a route.

It is another object of the present invention to describe a system that allows a provider to sell amenities (coffee, cake, etc.) in addition to charging services for the electric vehicle. The system can also allow automatic payment for services, payment using cryptocurrency, and connection to a social network account.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose a method for creating a network of electric vehicle charging stations (both commercial and non-commercial), comprising a server containing at least one processor, wherein an electric charging provider registers to the system, an electric car owner plans a travel route, the system shows possible charging stations along the selected route, said user navigates to a proposed charging station, said user charges his electric vehicle.

It is another object of the present invention to describe a method where private residential charging stations are registered as providers. The system can further include a navigation service of its own, or connect via API to another navigation service, e.g. google maps, waze, bing maps, etc. It is another object of the present invention to describe a method where the system can calculate battery charge and usage over mileage. The system can use this data to predict where the vehicle would need a recharge. The system can also automatically reserve a time spot for charging along a route.

It is another object of the present invention to describe a method that allows a provider to sell amenities (coffee, cake, etc.) in addition to charging services for the electric vehicle. The system can also allow automatic payment for services, payment using cryptocurrency, and connection to a social network account.

It is another object of the present invention to present the user with an option to charge his vehicle only in charging stations that use green and / or renewable energy sources.

It is another object of the present invention to have a system that confirms the identity of the user charging the vehicle, allowing charging for authorized users only. This can deter thieves trying to recharge vehicles, among other things.

Brief description of the figures

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Fig.l depicting a schematic presentation the decentralized charging network;

Fig- 2 shows a flow chart of one embodiment of the system flow;

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The following description is provided, alongside all chapters of the present invention, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however, are adapted to remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide embodiments of a decentralized charging station network.

As used herein after, the term “provider” refers to an individual who uses the system to provide electric vehicle charging service.

As used herein after, the term “user” refers to an individual who uses the system to map electric vehicle charging stations along the drive route he picks up.

Fig. 1 describes the basic system provider registration. A provider (100) enters his information into the system to register as a provider of electric vehicle charging. Amongst other things, the provider includes his address, type and speed of the charger, and other services he may provide (101). The system saves this information in a database (104). The system also connects to one or more mapping services and registers the providers with these services (104).

Fig. 2 describes one embodiment of the flow of the system. A user (200) enters a route into a navigation service. The navigation service gives out a route (201) to the user, the route includes a list of providers charging stations along the selected route (202). The user can decide in advance which charging station to use along the route (203). The system can inform the provider the approximate time of arrival of the user (204). Further, the system can allow a provider to show further services that can be provided while the user waits for the vehicle to be recharged (205). The system can further allow the user to pay all fees through the system (206).

The present invention provides a method for allowing individuals to provide electric vehicle charging services to electric car drivers. The system can automatically register specific addresses in mapping and navigation services (e.g. waze, google maps, bing maps, etc.). This gives drivers the ability to choose where he wants to charge his vehicle, figuring that individual non-commercial charging stations can provide better costs than commercial charging stations.

In one embodiment the system can also provide with a scheduling service, where a driver can inform a provider the approximate time he or she will arrive at the station, thus saving waiting time. As mentioned before, the charging of an electric vehicle takes at least 30 minutes, it is thus important and efficient to have a clear schedule for the charging.

In another embodiment, the system can allow a provider to list further services to be provided to a driver, such as coffee, food, etc., while waiting for the car to recharge. The system may also provide a method of direct payment for said services.

In yet another embodiment, the system can be used to predict the usage of the electric vehicle charge and predetermine the charging point stops, and schedule said charging ahead of time automatically. in another embodiment, the system can automatically decide the charging stations along the route, schedule arrival time in advance to make sure the charging station is available right at the moment the user arrives at the station.

In yet another embodiment, the user can select payment methods in advance, and pay with one click through any payment method, including apple pay, google pay, crypto-currency payments, etc.

In another embodiment, a registered charging service supplier can connect his Instagram account, or similar social network account.

Examples

In one example, the system can allow businesses close to the charging station, including the charging station itself, to offer services to drivers waiting for the electric vehicle to be charged. As an electric vehicle can take between 20-30 minutes to charge, the driver has time to rest, and take in coffee, food, etc. from local businesses. For this reason, charging station providers are encouraged to have an Instagram account, or a similar social media account, connected to their system accounts.

In this example, a person traveling can use the 20-30 minutes to have coffee, get a haircut at a nearby business, have a light meal, etc. In addition, it is possible for motels and other guesthouses to offer refreshment packages for drivers traveling long routes - allow for electric vehicle charging services, as well as a meal, a room to rest in for a few hours, etc. In another example, a restaurant can provide offerings through the system of a meal and vehicle charge at a certain price.

In another example, the system can be connected to an alternative travel system. For example, said system will be connected to various other travel services, and databases, offering airplane tickets, private plane rides. In this example, a user traveling by car from New York to San Francisco can be alerted at any point while on route to his destination if a seat is open on a commercial or private flight, the user can leave his car at one point and fly to his destination, getting his car back on the way back. The system can automatically calculate potential costs for both the drive, flights, and flights back to get the most cost- effective mode of travel. In the event a driver leaves his car - the system can locate / offer the car for rent for a duration, creating revenue.