Network-controlled charging system for electric vehicles

A network-controlled charge transfer device for transferring charge between a local power grid and an electric vehicle comprising:

• an electrical receptacle configured to receive an electrical connector for connection to said electric vehicle;
• an electrical power line connecting said local power grid to said receptacle;
• a control device on said electric power line, for switching said receptacle on and off;
• a current measuring device on said electric power line, for measuring current flowing through said receptacle;
• a controller configured to operate said control device and to monitor the output from said current measuring device;
• an alternating current line transceiver connected to said controller, said alternating current line transceiver being configured to connect said controller to a power line communication network for access to a remote payment station;
• and
• a communication device connected to said controller, said communication device being configured to connect said controller to a mobile wireless communication device, for communication between the operator of said electric vehicle and said controller;
• wherein said remote payment station comprises a data control unit configured to connect said payment station to a wide area network for access to a remote server, wherein said controller is configured to manage charge transfer based on power grid load data, said power grid load data being available from said remote server, and wherein charge transfer may be in either direction between said local power grid and said electric vehicle.

A network-controlled charge transfer system for electric vehicles comprising:

• a server;
• a data control unit connected to a wide area network for access to said server;
• and
• a charge transfer device, remote from said server and said data control unit, comprising:
• an electrical receptacle configured to receive an electrical connector for recharging an electric vehicle;
• an electric power line connecting said receptacle to a local power grid;
• a control device on said electric power line, for switching said receptacle on and off;
• a current measuring device on said electric power line, for measuring current flowing through said receptacle;
• a controller configured to operate said control device and to monitor the output from said current measuring device;
• a local area network transceiver connected to said controller, said local area network transceiver being configured to connect said controller to said data control unit;
• and
• a communication device connected to said controller, said communication device being configured to connect said controller to a mobile wireless communication device, for communication between the operator of said electric vehicle and said controller.

A network-controlled charge transfer and metered parking system comprising:

• a server;
• a payment station comprising a data control unit configured to connect said payment station to a wide area network for access to said server;
• a charge transfer device, remote from said server and said payment station, comprising:
• an electrical receptacle configured to receive an electrical connector for recharging an electric vehicle;
• an electric power line connecting said receptacle to a local power grid;
• a control device on said electric power line, for switching said receptacle on and off;
• a current measuring device on said electric power line, for measuring current flowing through said receptacle;
• a controller configured to operate said control device and to monitor the output from said current measuring device;
• an alternating current line transceiver connected to said controller, said alternating current line transceiver being configured to connect said controller to a power line communication network for access to said payment station;
• and
• a communication device connected to said controller, said communication device being configured to connect said controller to a mobile wireless communication device, for communication between the operator of said electric vehicle and said controller;
• and
• a display unit attached to said charge transfer device, said display being configured to display parking information, said parking information including (1) paid parking time remaining and (2) parking violation.

A method of transferring charge between a local power grid and an electric vehicle, comprising:

• assembling a user profile, said user profile containing payment information, said user profile being stored on a server;
• providing an electrical receptacle for transferring charge, said receptacle being connected to said local power grid by an electric power line, charge transfer along said electric power line being controlled by a controller configured to operate a control device on said electric power line;
• receiving a request to said controller for charge transfer, said request being made from a mobile wireless communication device by an operator of said electric vehicle, said controller being connected to a communication device for communication with said mobile wireless communication device;
• relaying said request from said controller to said server, said controller being connected to a local area network for communication to said server via a wide area network;
• validating a payment source for said operator of said electric vehicle based on said user profile corresponding to said operator;
• enabling charge transfer by communicating from said server to said controller to activate said control device;
• monitoring said charge transfer using a current measuring device on said electric power line, said controller being configured to monitor the output from said current measuring device and to maintain a running total of charge transferred;
• detecting completion of said charge transfer;
• and
• on detecting completion, sending an invoice to said payment source and disabling charge transfer.

A method of transferring charge between a local power grid and an electric vehicle, comprising:

• assembling a user profile, said user profile containing payment information, said user profile being stored on a server;
• providing an electrical receptacle for transferring charge, said receptacle being connected to said local power grid by an electric power line, charge transfer along said electric power line being controlled by a controller configured to operate a control device on said electric power line;
• receiving a request to a remote payment station for charge transfer, said request being made by an operator of said electric vehicle, said remote payment station being connected to an alternating current line transceiver, said alternating current line transceiver being configured to connect said remote payment station to a power line communication network for access to said controller;
• relaying said request from said remote payment station to said server, said remote payment station comprising a data control unit for communication to said server via a wide area network;
• validating a payment source for said operator of said electric vehicle based on said user profile corresponding to said operator;
• communicating successful validation of payment from said server to said remote payment station;
• enabling charge transfer by communicating from said remote payment station to said controller to activate said control device;
• monitoring said charge transfer using a current measuring device on said electric power line, said controller being configured to monitor the output from said current measuring device and to maintain a running total of charge transferred;
• detecting completion of said charge transfer;
• and
• on detecting completion, sending an invoice to said payment source and disabling charge transfer.