CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and benefit of

Provisional Patent Application No. 61/358,826 filed June 25, 2010, is the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes .

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field relates to battery chargers, and more particularly to electric vehicle charging stations .

BACKGROUND ART

Electric vehicle ("EV") charging stations may be used to provide charging of electric vehicles in both public and private locations, such as in the garage of a private vehicle owner, public parking garages or other places of interest.

SUMMARY

One method for charging an electric vehicle includes

providing a plurality of vehicle charge options on a user

interface, displaying a charge-point location map on a display of the user interface, receiving from the user interface a selection of one of the plurality of vehicle charge options, and displaying on the display a vehicle range. The plurality of vehicle charge options may include a plurality of charge-to-range options and the displayed vehicle range may be an existing-charge vehicle range. The method may also include displaying a vehicle range that is a a post-charge vehicle range determined in response to the user interface receiving the selection of one of the plurality of vehicle charge options. If a post-charge vehicle range is displayed, it may include displaying a vehicle range radius overlay on the charge-point location map, highlighting major roadways on the charge-point location map up to a selected post- charge vehicle range, highlighting major roadways up to a maximum terrain range, or displaying a calculated maximum terrain range outer perimeter. The method may also include displaying a cost per charge time as one aspect of providing a plurality of vehicle charge option on the user interface. The method may also include providing power to the vehicle and displaying on the display an updated-existing-charge range gradient in response to providing power to the vehicle. If an updated-existing-charge range gradient is displayed, it may include a light intensity gradient. The method may also include receiving vehicle charge data from the electric vehicle and receiving vehicle charge data from the user interface .

One embodiment of a display apparatus includes means for displaying a charge-point location map, a plurality of charge-to- range option selectors, and a charge-cable interface to receive a vehicle charge cable. The apparatus may also include a backlight to light the charge-point location map in response to activation of the display apparatus and the charge-point location map may be a map of major roadways. The user interface of the apparatus may be configured to display a vehicle range with the charge-point location map, and the vehicle range may be a vehicle range radius displayed on the charge-point location map, may be indicated by highlighting major roadways up to a selected vehicle range, highlighting major roadways up to a maximum terrain range, or by displaying a calculated maximum terrain range perimeter. The means for displaying may be a user interface, and the user interface may be a display.

One method for charging an electric vehicle includes

receiving from a user interface a selection of one of a plurality of charge-to-range options, displaying a charge-point location map on a display of the user interface, displaying an existing-charge vehicle range over the charge-point location map on the display, and displaying on the display a post-charge vehicle range

determined in response to the receiving of the selection of one of the plurality of vehicle charge-to-range options. The method may also include providing power to an electric vehicle and displaying an updated-existing-charge range gradient. The method may also include receiving vehicle data and providing power to an electric vehicle. If vehicle data is received, the method may also include receiving vehicle type information. The vehicle data may include vehicle battery information. The method may also include

calculating the existing-charge vehicle range in response to receiving the vehicle data, and calculating the post-charge vehicle range in response to receiving the vehicle data and the receiving of the selection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a user interface for an electric vehicle charging station that has, in one embodiment, a display showing a charge-point location map and a plurality of selectable vehicle charge-to-range options;

FIG. 2 illustrates the user interface of Fig. 1 and depicts a selected charge-to-range and an existing-charge vehicle range radius overlay;

FIG. 3 illustrates the user interface of Fig. 1 and depicts a post-charge vehicle range radius overlay with an updated-existing- charge range gradient;

FIG. 4 illustrates the user interface of Fig. 1 and depicts a calculated maximum terrain range perimeter;

FIG. 5 illustrates the user interface of Fig. 1 and depicts a post-charge vehicle range radius overlay and highlighting major roadways up to a selected post-charge vehicle range;

Fig. 6 depicts installation of the user interface illustrated in Figs . 1-5.

Fig. 7 depicts one embodiment of a method for selecting a charge-to-range option for a Level 1 or Level 2 electric vehicle charging station; Fig. 8 depicts another embodiment of a method for selecting a charge-to-range option for a Level 3 electric vehicle charging station;

Fig. 9 depicts one embodiment of a method for displaying a selected charge-to-range option; and

Fig. 10 depicts another embodiment of a method for displaying a selected charge-to-range option.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A system is disclosed for charging an electric vehicle at an

EV power station. The system may provide a user with a plurality of vehicle charge options, such as charge-to-range options, that are presented on a user interface of the system, along with a charge-point location map. The user may select one of the charge- to-range options through the user interface and a vehicle range is displayed. In various embodiments, the vehicle range for display may be the range provided by the battery before charging at the EV power station, an updated-existing-charge range, or a post-charge vehicle range. An existing-charge range gradient may also be displayed that updates the vehicle ranged displayed in view of recent vehicle charge activity.

Fig. 1 depicts a user interface 100 for an electric vehicle charging station that has a plurality of user-selectable vehicle charging options 102 visually depicted as buttons along a top portion of the user interface. The selectable vehicle charging options may be selectable with physical buttons that may have an LED backlighting, or may be provided through a touch-screen arrangement that is incorporated into the display 104 itself or by other means. A charge-point location map 106 is provided by the display that may include major highways (indicated by dashed lines), cities (indicated by name), and other minor roads. In the illustrated embodiment, the map overlay indicates the charging station is located in Los Angeles, with the surrounding cities of San Diego, Long Beach, Palm Springs, and Santa Barbara also illustrated. Although the map overlay 106 is preferably centered on the location of the EV power station, in one embodiment the map overlay location is selectable by a user to facilitate route planning. The scale of the map overlay may also be fixed or selectable by the user.

In one embodiment, a plurality of concentric rings is displayed with the map overlay 106 that corresponds to the user- selectable vehicle charging options 102. For example, each ring may represent a charge-to-range option that is selectable through the user interface. The difference in radii between adjacent rings may be constant to create a regular increase in ring sizing. Each ring may represent a selectable approximated maximum distance from the charging station available to charge. Because the approximated maximum distance is calculated and not absolute, each vehicle charging option may be presented with an estimated local maximum/minimum variance, such as 6km. For example, the inner ring may be displayed having a 24km radius on the map overlay 106 and centered at the charging station location in association with the 24-30km charge-to-range option. The second ring may be displayed having a 54km radius on the map overlay 106 and centered at the charging station location associated with the 54-60km charge-to- range option. Similarly, the third, fourth and fifth rings may be displayed and associated with the 84-90km, 114-120km and 144-150km charge-to-range options, respectively. Alternatively, each ring may be provided with the map overlay 104 at the upper limit of the approximated maximum distance from the charging station. In such a case, rings 1-5 would have a radius of 30km, 60km, 90km, 120km, and 150km, respectively, on the map overlay. In an alternative embodiment, no charge-to-range variance need be provided, or a value other than 6km may be provided, such as 2km or 10km. The distance between each adjacent concentric ring need not be the same, but may depend on a variety of predetermined factors that may affect an existing-charge vehicle range or post-charge vehicle range such as varying terrain or highway elevation changes, highway speed limits, traffic (reducing the highway speeds), weather, temperature, altitude or other factors. In such a case, the "rings" may not be circular, but may be approximately circular or may have a varying radius around respective perimeters . In Fig. 1, none of the plurality of vehicle charge options has yet to be selected and so none of the concentric rings or highways is highlighted .

In Fig. 2, a user-selected charge-to-range option 202 may be displayed as highlighted with a thicker frame or illuminated to indicate selection of a post-charge range of 84 - 90km.

Alternatively, the vehicle charge option selected by the user may be indicated by changing the brightness or color of the button, whether a physical button or touch-screen button. The third concentric ring 204 corresponding to the post-charge range of 84- 90km is displayed with highlighting such as by line thickening, as may be the rings positioned inside of the third concentric ring 204. Alternatively, only the third concentric ring 204,

representing the selected post-charge vehicle range, may be highlighted. In response to receiving vehicle charge data, either from the electric vehicle itself through a Level 3 power cable or as input through the user interface, an existing-charge vehicle range 206 is displayed with a color-fill or shading of the first concentric ring to represent, in this example, a range of at least 24-30km remaining for the connected electric vehicle given the current charge state of the vehicles battery, the battery capacity and associated vehicle model.

In Fig. 3, the user interface display 300 has been updated, with respect to Fig. 2, with an existing-charge vehicle range gradient 302 in response to providing power to the electric vehicle. The updated-existing-charge range gradient 302 may be a light intensity gradient as between adjacent rings, such as providing light fill between adjacent rings as the vehicle's battery is charged to a status that would provide the vehicle range associated with the indicated outermost ring.

Alternatively, the updated-existing-charge range gradient may provide for increasing light intensity from the center 304 to the first ring 306, from the first ring 306 to the second ring 308, and from the second ring 308 to the third ring 310. In such an embodiment, the area bounded by the first ring 306 would have the greatest light intensity and the area 312 between second and third rings would display the least light intensity. Areas located outside of the third ring 314 would not be provided with light intensity gradient lighting in excess of that illuminating the remainder of the map overlay. Alternatively, the light intensity gradient may be a color gradient, such as the area bounded by the first ring 306 being green, the area between the second ring 308 and first ring 306 being a light green and the area between the second ring 308 and third ring 310 being yellow. In one

embodiment, the light gradient is a density-fill gradient such as provided in the present Fig. 2, with the area bounded by the first ring 306 being a cross-hatch fill, the area between the first and second rings (306, 308) being a single-bar shading and the area between the second and third rings (308, 310) having a mottled shading .

In Fig. 4, the user-selected charge-to-range option is displayed both with buttons, whether physical or representative, toward the top of the user interface and with rings on the display that use terrain as a factor to calculate both post-charge range and updated-existing-charge range gradients. A charge-to-range option of 84-90 KM 400 is illustrated as selected and a post- charge vehicle range displayed that is a calculated maximum terrain range 402. The calculated maximum terrain range 402 takes into consideration changes in altitude which may affect electric vehicle range. For example, pt. A is at a farther position from a center of the charge point location map than is pt . B, and so may represent a lower highway altitude than pt . A on the charge-point location map. Alternatively, pt . A represents a geographic point at which less power may be required to travel to such a location than pt . B. Similarly, pt . C is at a location that is closer to the center of the charge-point location map, and so may represent a location that has a higher altitude than pt . D.

In Fig. 5, the selected charge-to-range option may result in a display of both a circularly concentric post-charge range radius overlay 500 on the charge-point location map 502 and a display of a post-charge vehicle range that may be highlighting of major roadways 504 up to a maximum terrain range. Alternatively, major roadways may be highlighted up to a selected post-charge vehicle range that does not take into consideration terrain.

Fig. 6 illustrates one embodiment of an electric vehicle charging station 600 having the user interface illustrated in Figs. 1-5. The user interface 602 may have a display 604 on a front facing face 606 of the charging station 600. A plurality of vehicle charge option selectors 606 may be configured on a top portion of the user interface 600 to accept user input of post- charge vehicle range options and vehicle charge data such as vehicle make/model, battery capacity and type, and current charge status. A charge cable interface 608 may be configured underneath a charge cable access door 610 that protects the charge cable interface 608 from environmental damage. The charge cable

interface 608 may be configured to accept data terminals to provide the vehicle charge data, such as may be found in a Level 3 charge cable. A backlight (not shown) may be provided underneath a front surface of the user interface 602 to light a charge-point location map displayed on the user interface 602. The charge cable interface 608 may be in electrical communication with electric utilities accessed from a utility conduit 610 extending up from beneath ground level .

Fig. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a method for selecting a charge-to-range option for a Level 1 or Level 2 electric vehicle charging station. A charge point location map may be displayed on the user interface (block 700) and vehicle charge-to-range options displayed (test 702) . A user selection of one of the charge-to- range options may be received in the user interface and a charge- to-range radius may be displayed on the charge-point location map (block 704) . An existing-charge vehicle range may also be

displayed on the charge-point location map (block 706) . If the selected charge-to-range option is confirmed (test 708), payment information may be communicated to the user (block 710) and power provided to the electric vehicle (block 712) . Otherwise, the vehicle charge-to-range options may again be displayed and the user interface stands-by to receive the user's selection of vehicle charge options. In one embodiment, after a charge-to-range radius is displayed (block 704), a cost per charge time is displayed for the selected range-to-charge radius (block 714) . After power is provided to the vehicle, an updated existing- charge-range gradient is displayed (block 716) and, if charging is complete (test 718), the process may end (block 720) . Although a charge-point location map may initially be displayed (block 700), an option may exist for a user to choose an alternate charge-point location map (block 720) in order to display appropriate vehicle charge-to-range options (block 702) for such an alternate

location .

Fig. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a method for selecting a charge-to-range option for a Level 3 electric vehicle charging station. A charge-point location map is displayed on a display of a user interface (block 800) and an electric vehicle power cable received by the charging station (block 802) . Alternatively, the user may select an alternative charge-point location map for display (block 804) . Vehicle charge data is received by the charging station from the electric vehicle (block 806) , and vehicle charge-to-range options are displayed on the display of the user interface (block 808) . The user interface receives a selection of one of the vehicle charge options, and a vehicle range, such as the selected charge-to-range radius, is displayed with the location map (block 810) . If the selected range is confirmed (test 812) then payment information is communicated to the user (block 814) and power is provided to the vehicle (block 816) . As power is applied to the vehicle, an updated-existing- charge range gradient may be displayed (block 818) . Once charging is complete (test 820) the process is complete and the vehicle charging station may shut down to await the next user (block 822)

Fig. 9 depicts one embodiment of a method for displaying a selected charge to range option. A plurality of vehicle charge to range options may be displayed (block 900) and major roadways highlighted up to a maximum terrain range selected by the user

(block 902) to illustrate the selected post-charge vehicle range. Alternatively, if the charge-to-range option calculations include terrain as a range factor, a calculated maximum terrain range outer perimeter may be displayed with the charge-point location map (block 904) to facilitate the user's choice of vehicle charge options. If the selected charge-to-range option is confirmed (test 906) then payment information may be communicated to and received from the user (block 908) and power may be provided to the electric vehicle (block 910) .

In one embodiment illustrated in Fig. 10, terrain is not used as a factor to determine post-charge vehicle range and range along the major highways is emphasized. Vehicle charge-to-range options are displayed on the display (block 1000) and major roadways are highlighted up to a charge-to-range option selected by the user (block 1002) . Alternatively, instead of highlighting major roadways up to the selected charge-to-range option, major roadways are highlighted up to a maximum real-time traffic range (block 1004) that is a result of using traffic data to determine a suitable post-charge vehicle range that may be reduced, or increased, due existing traffic speeds, verses posted maximum speeds. For example, certain electric vehicles may experience increased range performance at approximately 38 mph driving speeds. Should traffic data indicate existing traffic speeds approaching 38 mph, verses a posted maximum speed of 65 mph, the post-charge vehicle range would be increased verses from what would otherwise exist if the existing traffic speeds approached the posted maximum speed of 65 mph (assuming steady traffic flow) . In another embodiment, instead of highlighting major roadways, a maximum real-time traffic range perimeter line (block 1006) may be displayed to facilitate determination of post-charge vehicle range for roadways that are not necessarily illustrated on the display as major roadways. If the selected range is confirmed (test 1008) then payment information is communicated to and received from the user (block 1010) and power is provided to the electric vehicle (block 1020) .

It is contemplated that various combinations and/or subcombinations of the specific features, systems, methods, and aspects of the above embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Further it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed by way of examples should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.