Description:Complete Specification:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

Field of the invention:
[0001] The present invention relates to a controller and method to charge an electric vehicle through an Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE).

Background of the invention:
[0002] When a charging session of an electric vehicle is ongoing/active, and if there is a power/communication disruption, for example due to microcontroller reset or grid failure, etc., then charging session needs to be restarted manually with user authentication. This is a major inconvenience to user since user needs to be physically present and monitor throughout charging session. Also, if user is away such as night parking, and checks in later/morning then charging would have interrupted. The repeated manual authentication to restart charging is currently necessary in case of power/communication disruption.

[0003] According to a patent literature US2021229565, systems and methods for policing charging behavior is disclosed. The systems and methods for policing charging behaviour are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes an identification process such that a first iteration of the identification process includes identifying a first vehicle as a currently charging vehicle receiving a charge from a charging station during a current charging session. In a second iteration of the identification process includes identifying a second vehicle as the currently charging vehicle during the current charging session. The method further includes determining a difference between the first vehicle and the second vehicle. The method yet further includes modifying the current charging session based on the determined difference.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0004] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawings,
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system containing a controller to charge an electric vehicle through an Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), according to an embodiment of the present invention, and
[0006] Fig. 2 illustrates a method for charging the electric vehicle through the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0007] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system containing a controller to charge an electric vehicle through an Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), according to an embodiment of the present invention. The controller 100 configured to detect connection of a charging plug 136, characterized in that, detect if identifiers of a previous charging session are stored in a memory element of the controller 100. While the identifiers are detected to be stored in the memory element, the controller 100 is configured to acquire identifiers of at least one of the EVSE 104 and the electric vehicle 106 based on which of the EVSE 104 and the electric vehicle 106 is having the controller 100, and verify stored identifiers with the acquired identifiers, and resume the previous charging session of the electric vehicle 106 without specific user authentication. Similarly, while identifiers are not detected to be stored in the memory element, the controller 100 is configured to prompt authentication of the user 102 for charging of the electric vehicle 106, followed by initiation of a new charging session after acquired identifiers are stored in the memory element.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller 100 is of at least one of the EVSE 104 and the electric vehicle 106. In simple words, the controller 100 is either an equipment control unit 132 of the EVSE 104 or the vehicle control unit 134 of the electric vehicle 106 or both independently, which performs the charging without user authentication. Further, the EVSE 104 is a charging station or a wall box, either at private or public facilities/places. Still further, the detection of identifiers is automatically performed after disruption in any one of a power supply and communication between the EVSE 104 and the electric vehicle 106.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the identifiers are selected from a session ID, a vehicle ID and an EVSE ID. When the controller 100 is of the EVSE 104, i.e. the equipment control unit 132, the vehicle ID is stored along with the session ID in the memory element of the equipment control unit 132. Similarly, when the controller 100 is of the electric vehicle 106, i.e. vehicle control unit 134, the EVSE ID is stored along with the session ID in the memory element of the vehicle control unit 134.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle ID and the EVSE ID comprises Media Access Control (MAC) address or any other unique identification which us usable for this purpose.

[0011] According to the present invention a working of the controller 100 is explained. Consider the user 102 drives the electric vehicle 106 to EVSE 104 for charging. At first, the user 102 connects the electric vehicle 106 to a charging socket of the EVSE 104 or vice-versa. Once connected, and switched ON, the equipment control unit 132 and the vehicle control unit 134 detects plug connection as indicated by block 108 and 114 respectively. Once detected, the equipment control unit 132 checks for previous charging session ID if any. Similarly, the vehicle control unit 134 checks for previously stored session ID and EVSE ID to which it was connected. If no session ID found, then the charging request is considered new as indicated by block 110 and 116 respectively. The user 102 performs authentication to enable charging. Once authenticated, the equipment control unit 132 and the vehicle control unit 134 exchange required information for charging and stores a session ID indicated by block 112 and 118 in respective memory elements.

[0012] As indicated by block 120, the charging is initiated and the EVSE 104 charges the battery of the electric vehicle 106. However, due to some reasons there exists power disruption (power cut) or communication disruptions, such as grid failure, short circuit, and communication failure, the like. Considering there is a power disruption, the charging stops and there is a disconnection between the EVSE 104 and the electric vehicle 106. However, when the power supply is restored, the EVSE 104 again gets connected to the electric vehicle 106 as the control pilot signal transitions from B1 state to B2 state indicated by block 122. Now, as per block 124, 126 the equipment control unit 132 and the vehicle control unit 134 checks for respective stored identifiers. If an identifier is found, then the identifier is acquired from each other for verification. The acquired identifiers are compared with stored identifiers by the equipment control unit 132 and the vehicle control unit 134 and if there is match, the charging is continued after exchange of necessary information without user authentication indicated by 128 and 130. After the completion of charging the session ID is deleted from the memory elements. However, if there is a mismatch, then charging session is considered new and user authentication is requested.

[0013] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller 100 is provided with necessary signal detection, acquisition, and processing circuits. The controller 100 is the one which comprises input interface, output interfaces having pins or ports, the memory element (not shown) such as Random Access Memory (RAM) and/or Read Only Memory (ROM), Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and a Digital-to-Analog Convertor (DAC), clocks, timers, counters and at least one processor (capable of implementing machine learning) connected with each other and to other components through communication bus channels. The memory element is pre-stored with logics or instructions or programs or applications or modules/models and/or threshold values/ranges, reference values, predefined/predetermined criteria/conditions, which is/are accessed by the at least one processor as per the defined routines. The internal components of the controller 100 are not explained for being state of the art, and the same must not be understood in a limiting manner. The controller 100 may also comprise communication units such as transceivers to communicate through wireless or wired means such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, serial networks, and the like. The controller 100 is implementable in the form of System-in-Package (SiP) or System-on-Chip (SOC) or any other known types. Examples of controller 100 comprises but not limited to, microcontroller, microprocessor, microcomputer, etc.

[0014] Further, the processor may be implemented as any or a combination of one or more microchips or integrated circuits interconnected using a parent board, hardwired logic, software stored in the memory element 108 and executed by a microprocessor, firmware, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and/or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The processor is configured to exchange and manage the processing of various Artificial Intelligence (AI) modules.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the equipment control unit 132 is configured to detect connection of a charging plug 136, characterized in that, detect if identifiers of a previous charging session are stored in a memory element of the equipment control unit 132. While the identifiers are detected to be stored in the memory element, the equipment control unit 132 is configured to acquire identifiers of the electric vehicle 106, and verify stored identifiers with the acquired identifiers, and resume the previous charging session of the electric vehicle 106 without specific user authentication. However, while identifiers are not detected to be stored in the memory element, the equipment control unit 132 is configured to prompt authentication of the user 102 for charging of the electric vehicle 106, followed by initiation of a new charging session after acquired identifiers are stored in the memory element.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle control unit 134 configured to detect connection of a charging plug 136, characterized in that, detect if identifiers of a previous charging session are stored in a memory element of the vehicle control unit 134. While the identifiers are detected to be stored in the memory element, the vehicle control unit 134 is configured to acquire identifiers of the EVSE 104, and verify stored identifiers with the acquired identifiers, and resume the previous charging session of the electric vehicle 106 without specific user authentication. However, while identifiers are not detected to be stored (not present) in the memory element, the vehicle control unit 134 is configured to prompt authentication of the user 102 for charging of the electric vehicle 106, followed by initiation of the new charging session after acquired identifiers are stored in the memory element.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle control unit 34 of the vehicle is any one of an1 Electric/Vehicle Charge Control Unit (VCCU or EVCC) or any control unit in the vehicle responsible for user authentication and charge control sequence for high voltage battery charging.

[0018] Fig. 2 illustrates a method for charging the electric vehicle through the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), according to the present invention. The method comprises plurality of steps of which a step 202 comprises detecting, by the controller 100 (i.e. at least one of the equipment control unit 132 and vehicle control unit 134), connection of the charging plug 136. A step 204 comprises detecting, by the controller 100, if identifiers of the previous charging session are stored in the memory element. Both the equipment control unit 132 and the vehicle control unit 134 checks for previously stored identifiers in respective memory elements. If yes, then a step 206 comprises acquiring new identifiers from each other and comparing with the stored identifiers. For example, the equipment control unit 132 obtains the vehicle ID and the session ID, and the vehicle control unit 134 obtains the session ID and the EVSE ID. If there is match, then step 212 is performed which comprises continuing the previous charging session without user authentication. If no, then step 208 is performed comprising deleting the session ID and then a step 210 is executed, which comprises initiating a new charging session. The step 210 is also executed after step 204 if no stored identifiers are detected. As per step 214, the session ID is deleted once the charging is completed or ended by the user 102. In above, both the EVSE 104 and the electric vehicle 106 are configured to check for previously stored identifiers and take actions. Alternatively, any one of the EVSE 104 and the electric vehicle 106 is configurable to check for previously stored session ID followed by resuming charging without user authentication.

[0019] The step of detecting the identifiers is automatically performed after disruption in any one of a power supply and communication between said EVSE 104 and said electric vehicle 106.

[0020] According to the method, the memory element is in the controller 100 of at least one of the EVSE 104 and the electric vehicle 106. The method is performed by the controller 100, i.e. respective controllers 100, i.e. equipment control unit 132 and the vehicle control unit 134. The identifiers are selected from the session ID, the vehicle ID and the EVSE ID. When the controller 100 is of the EVSE 104, the vehicle ID is stored in the memory element along with the session ID. Similarly, when the controller 100 is of the electric vehicle 106, the EVSE ID is stored in the memory element along with the session ID. The vehicle ID and the EVSE ID comprises Media Access Control (MAC) address or any other identifier for this purpose.

[0021] According to the method, for every charging session as soon as authentication is completed, the session ID is stored in nonvolatile memory element. In case of electric power disruption, the vehicle control unit 134 initializes and starts execution from beginning. The following checks in the charging process is performed. A first check checking if the charging plug 136 is connected. A second check comprises checking if there is the stored session ID and the EVSE ID. If a positive result for both the above checks is obtained, the method concludes that it is not a new charging session and continue charging with the previous charging session.

[0022] The electric vehicle 106 resumes the charging session without any manual authentication by sending the previously saved session ID. Once charging is completed, the saved session ID is deleted from nonvolatile memory element. Similar sequence is followed by EVSE 104 with respect to the electric vehicle 106.

[0023] According to the present invention, the controller 100 and method to authenticate and continue charging session without user intervention in case of power/communication disruption is disclosed. The controller 100 and method solves the problem of manual user authentication in case of power/communication disruption during charging. The present invention provides solution to the problem of manual authentication without activating ‘plug and charge’ feature. The present invention provides the controller 100 and method to authenticate without user intervention.

[0024] It should be understood that the embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.

, Claims:We claim:
1. A controller (100) to charge an electric vehicle (106) through an Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) (104), said controller (100) configured to,
detect connection of a charging plug (136), characterized in that,
detect if identifiers of a previous charging session are stored in a memory element of said controller (100);
while said identifiers are detected to be stored in said memory element,
acquire identifiers of at least one of said EVSE (104) and said electric vehicle (106), and verify stored identifiers with said acquired identifiers, and
resume said previous charging session of said electric vehicle (106) without specific user authentication,
while identifiers are not detected to be stored in said memory element,
prompt authentication of said user for charging of said electric vehicle (106);
initiate a new charging session after acquired identifiers are stored in said memory element.

2. The controller (100) as claimed in claim 1 is of at least one of said EVSE (104) and said electric vehicle (106), wherein said identifiers are selected from a session ID, a vehicle ID and an EVSE ID.

3. The controller (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein when controller (100) is of said EVSE (104), said vehicle ID is stored in said memory element along with said session ID, and wherein when said controller (100) is of said electric vehicle (106), said EVSE ID is stored in said memory element along with said session ID.

4. The controller (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detection of identifiers is automatically performed after disruption in any one of a power supply and communication between said EVSE (104) and said electric vehicle (106).

5. The controller (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vehicle ID and said EVSE ID comprises Media Access Control (MAC) address.

6. A method for charging an electric vehicle (106) through an Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) (104), said method comprising the steps of,
detecting connection of a charging plug (136), characterized by,
detecting if identifiers of a previous charging session are stored in a memory element;
while said identifiers are detected to be stored in said memory element,
acquiring identifiers of at least one of said EVSE (104) and said electric vehicle (106), and verifying stored identifiers with acquired identifiers, and
resuming said previous charging session of said electric vehicle (106) without specific user authentication.
while identifiers are not detected to be stored in said memory element,
requiring authentication of said user for charging of said electric vehicle (106);
starting a new charging session after storing acquired identifiers in said memory element.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said memory element is in a controller (100) of at least one of said EVSE (104) and said electric vehicle (106), and said method is performed by said controller (100), wherein said identifiers are selected from a session ID, a vehicle ID and an EVSE ID.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein when controller (100) is of said EVSE (104), said vehicle ID is stored in said memory element along with said session ID, wherein when said controller (100) is of said electric vehicle (106), said EVSE ID is stored in said memory element along with said session ID.

9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein detecting said identifiers is automatically performed after disruption in any one of a power supply and communication between said EVSE (104) and said electric vehicle (106).

10. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said vehicle ID and said EVSE ID comprises Media Access Control (MAC) address.