The present invention generally relates to charging cables used for electrical vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to cable theft detection system and method thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In the current age when electric vehicles are replacing fuel run vehicles, the most important change required in infrastructure is installation of as many electric chargers throughout a geography of a place. Since installation of electric chargers throughout the geography of the place is an expensive affair, once installed maintaining the same is also critical in order to ensure the electric vehicle ecosystem is developed and maintained.
[0003] Conventionally the output cable of an electric vehicle charger is permanently attached to the charger and is left in the open space, hanging with charger at a space provided. There is usually no locking mechanism for the charging cable. The locking only happens when we plug the cable to the electric vehicle. In an ideal condition, anyone can steal the charging plug. This may lead to significant loss to the company's reputation and might increase the overall cost of the charging infrastructure project.
[0004] In view of the above, there is a dire need for an efficient cable theft detection system and method thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] One or more embodiments of the present invention, provides a cable theft detection system and method thereof, wherein the cable is generally used for charging an electric vehicle.
[0006] In one aspect, a cable theft detection system is provided. The system comprising a charger, the charger comprising: a charger cable, the charger cable having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the charger, and the second end coupled to a charging gun, wherein the charging gun adapted to be plugged into a charging port of an electric vehicle; an operational parameter sensing unit adapted to be in contact with the charger cable at one of, throughout from the first end to the second end of the charger cable, and at a portion of the

charger cable between the first end and the second end of the charging cable, the operational parameter sensing unit adapted to detect at least one operational parameter of the charger cable; a controller in communication with the charger cable and the operational parameter sensing unit, the controller configured to: receive at least one operational parameter value of the charger cable from the operational parameter sensing unit; compare the at least one operational parameter value with a range of threshold values; and generate a cable theft detection alarm in real time via at least one alarm unit and a Control Management System (CMS), in response to the at least one operational parameter value deviating from a range of threshold values.
[0007] In yet another aspect of the invention, a method for detecting theft of a cable is provided. The method comprises the steps of receiving, by a controller, at least one operational parameter value of a charger cable from an operational parameter sensing unit; comparing, by the controller, the at least one operational parameter value with a range of threshold values; and generating, by the controller, a cable theft detection alarm via at least one alarm unit and a control management system (CMS), in response to the at least one operational parameter value deviating from the range of threshold values.
[0008] Other features and aspects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. The features and advantages described in this summary and in the following detailed description are not all-inclusive, and particularly, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art, in view of the drawings, specification, and claims hereof. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter, resort to the claims being necessary to determine such inventive subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. The accompanying figures, which are incorporated

in and constitute a part of the specification, are illustrative of one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and together with the description explain various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and are intended to be illustrative. Further, the accompanying figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale, and any values or dimensions in the accompanying figures are for illustration purposes only and may or may not represent actual or preferred values or dimensions. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an environment for a cable theft detection system, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; and
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method for detecting theft of a cable, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts. References to various elements described herein, are made collectively or individually when there may be more than one element of the same type. However, such references are merely exemplary in nature. It may be noted that any reference to elements in the singular may also be construed to relate to the plural and vice-versa without limiting the scope of the invention to the exact number or type of such elements unless set forth explicitly in the appended claims. Moreover, relational terms such as first and second, and the like, may be used to distinguish one entity from the other, without necessarily implying any actual relationship or between such entities.
[0013] Various embodiments of the invention provide a cable theft detection system and method thereof. The present invention is configured to provide cable theft detection system and method thereof in particular for electric chargers used for charging electric vehicles, however, this should not be construed as limiting

the scope of the present disclosure. The cable theft detection system and method
thereof of the present invention can also be applicable to applications other than
electric vehicle as well.
[0014] Fig. 1 illustrates an environment for a cable theft detection system, in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. The
environment includes a cable theft detection system 100, an alarm unit 120,
Internet of Things (IOT) device 130 and a Control Management System (CMS)
140. Each of the components of the environment, i.e., cable theft detection
system 100, the alarm unit 120, the IOT device 130 and the CMS 140
communicate with each other over a communication network 150.
[0015] In an embodiment, the IOT device 130 may be one of, but not limited
to, smart mobiles, smart refrigerators, smart fire alarms, etc.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the CMS 140 is a server. The server in this
particular application includes a communication transceiver, a processor and a
storage unit. The processor is in communication with the communication
transceiver and the storage unit. In an embodiment, the server can be a back-end
component (e.g., as a data server), or that includes a middleware component (e.g.,
an application server), or that includes a front-end component (e.g., a client
computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a
user can interact with an implementation of the systems and techniques described
herein).
[0017] The communications network 150 may be one of, but not limited to,
LAN, cable, WLAN, cellular, or satellite.
[0018] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the cable theft
detection system 100 includes a charger 102. The charger 102 including a charger
cable 104, an operational parameter sensing unit 112 and a controller 114.
[0019] In an embodiment, the controller 114 is present within the charger 102.
[0020] In an alternate embodiment, the controller 114 is present outside the
charger 102.
[0021] In an embodiment, the controller 114 communicates with the charger
102 via the communications network 150 using wired/wireless connections.

[0022] In an embodiment, the charger 102 is configured to provide electric charge to an electric vehicle. The charger 102 can be one of, but not limited to, AC charger and DC charger.
[0023] The processor and the controller 114 explained hereinafter may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the processor is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory. [0024] The storage unit referred hereinafter, in general includes memory and any other storage means and/or units may include any computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes.
[0025] The chargers for electric vehicles are expensive. Further, to install the same is again expensive. Therefore, in the event any theft happens, generally the charger cable 104 is cut, because of which the charger 102 cannot be used. Further, especially during the night, the user may not be aware that the charger cable 104 is cut, during this situation, the user is at risk at being short circuited due to the cut charger cable 104. Also, installing a new charger cable 104 is a costly affair. Especially, if the charger 102 is installed at a residential premise, in the event there is a theft of the charger cable 104, the user may find it difficult to afford a new one.
[0026] In view of the above, the cable theft detection system 100 of the present invention facilitates in detecting these thefts and instantly providing alarm thereby alerting users. Advantageously, ensuring the charger 102 is protected from thieves.
[0027] As shown in Fig. 1, the charger 102 includes the charger cable 104. The charger cable 104 includes a first end 106 and a second end 108. The first end 106 is coupled to the charger 102. Further, the second end 108 is coupled to a

charging gun 110. The charging gun 110 is adapted to be plugged into a charging
port of an electric vehicle.
[0028] Further, the operational parameter sensing unit 112 is adapted to be in
contact with the charger cable 104 as shown in Fig. 1.
[0029] In an embodiment, the operational parameter sensing unit 112 is in
contact with the charger cable 112 throughout from the first end 106 to the
second end 108 of the charger cable 104 as shown in Fig. 1.
[0030] In an alternate embodiment, the operational parameter sending unit 112
is adapted to be in contact with the charger cable 104 at a portion of the charger
cable 104 between the first end 106 and the second end 108.
[0031] In an embodiment, the operational parameter sensing unit 112 is
adapted to sense/detect at least one operational parameter of the charger cable
104.
[0032] In an embodiment, the at least one operational parameter detected by the
operational parameter sensing unit 104 is temperature.
[0033] In an alternate embodiment, the operational parameter sensing unit 104
detects resistance.
[0034] In an embodiment, the operational parameter sensing unit 104 is a
temperature sensing cable. In this regard, the temperature sensing cable is one of,
adapted to be in contact throughout from the first end 106 to the second end 108
of the charger cable 104 as shown in Fig. 1. Alternately, the temperature sensing
cable is adapted to be in contact at a portion of the charger cable 104 between the
first end 106 and the second end 108 of the charger cable 104.
[0035] In an alternate embodiment, the operational parameter sensing unit 112
is a resistance sensing cable.
[0036] In an alternate embodiment, the operational parameter sensing unit 112
may detect both temperature and resistance simultaneously.
[0037] In an embodiment, the controller 114 is in communication with the
charger cable 104 and the operational parameter sensing unit 112.
[0038] The controller 114 is configured to, receive at least one operational
parameter value of the charger cable 104. As discussed above, the at least one

operational parameter value is one of, but not limited to, temperature and resistance.
[0039] Once the at least one operational parameter value is received at the controller 114, the controller 114 is configured to compare the at least one operational parameter value with a range of threshold values. Thereafter, the controller 114 generates a cable theft detection alarm via at least one alarm unit 120.
[0040] Further, the controller 114 is also configured to generate an alarm via the CMS 140. Herein, the controller 114 transmits an alarm signal to the CMS 140. In an embodiment, the CMS 140 may be connected to a communication device which may be used by at least one of, a user, group of authenticated users and charger supervisors.
[0041] In an embodiment, the theft detection alarm is generated by the controller 114 via at least one alarm unit 120 and the CMS 114 in response to the at least one operational parameter value deviating from a range of threshold values.
[0042] The controller 114 is configured to periodically receive the at least one operational parameter value of the charger cable 104. If we consider that the operational parameter value is a particular temperature, the controller 114 each time when it receives the temperature of the charger cable 104, it compares the temperature with the range of threshold values. Let us consider, the range of the threshold values is set between 50-70 degrees centigrade. Therefore, in response to the at least one operational parameter value, i.e., temperature received at the controller is deviating from the set threshold range of values between 50-70 degrees centigrade, then the controller 114 is configured to generate the cable theft detection alarm via the at least one alarm unit 120 and the CMS 140. [0043] In an embodiment, the cable theft detection alarm is representative of the event that the charger cable 104 has been cut/theft of the charger cable 104 has occurred. It is to be noted that in the event the charger cable 104 is cut/theft of the charger cable 104 has occurred, then the operational parameter sensing unit 112 such as the temperature sensing cable is also cut. In this regard, the resistance at the charger cable 104 is infinite. Due to which, the current flowing within the

charger cable is substantially zero, thereby increasing the temperature of the charger cable 104 which deviates from the set range of threshold values. [0044] In an embodiment, the alarm unit 120 is a hooter which generates the theft detection alarm by means such as, but not limited to, visual and/or audio mechanisms.
[0045] Further, the controller 114 is also configured to transmit the alarm signal to the CMS 140 in real time. The CMS 140 transmits the theft detection alarm in real time to the associated communication devices such as, but not limited to, a mobile phone, laptop, desktop, computer and tablet. [0046] In an alternate embodiment, as discussed above, the operational parameter sensing unit 112 may also be resistance sensing/detecting cable adapted to detect resistance at the charger cable 104. In this regard, when the controller 114 receives the resistance value periodically from the operational parameter sensing unit 112, the received resistance value is compared with the range of threshold values pertaining to the resistance. Thereafter, in the event the received resistance value deviates from the range of threshold values, the controller generates the cable theft detection alarm via the at least one alarm unit 120 and the CMS 140. For example, in the event the charger cable 104 is cut, then the operational parameter sensing unit 112 such as the resistance sensing cable is also cut. In this regard, the resistance at the charger cable is infinite and the range of threshold values pertaining to resistance is usually set based on the type of charger. In this regard, the controller 114 may generate the theft detection alarm since the resistance value received by the operational parameter sensing unit 112 may not be within the range of threshold values.
[0047] FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a method 200 for detecting theft of a cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For the purpose of description, the method 200 is described with the embodiment as illustrated in Fig. 1. The method comprises the steps as indicated below: [0048] At step 202, receiving, by a controller 114, at least one operational parameter value of a charger cable 104. The at least one operational parameter value being detected by an operational parameter sensing unit 112.

[0049] At step 204, comparing, by the controller 114, the at least one operational parameter value with a range of threshold values. [0050] At step 206, generating, by the controller 114, a cable theft detection alarm via at least one alarm unit 120 and a control management system (CMS) 140, in response to the at least one operational parameter value deviating from the range of threshold values.
[0051] While aspects of the present invention have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present invention as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claim:

1. A cable theft detection system, the system comprising:
a charger, the charger comprising:
a charger cable, the charger cable having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the charger, and the second end coupled to a charging gun, wherein the charging gun adapted to be plugged into a charging port of an electric vehicle;
an operational parameter sensing unit adapted to be in contact with the charger cable at one of, throughout from the first end to the second end of the charger cable, and at a portion of the charger cable between the first end and the second end of the charger cable, the operational parameter sensing unit adapted to detect at least one operational parameter of the charger cable;
a controller in communication with the charger cable and the operational parameter sensing unit, the controller configured to:
receive at least one operational parameter value of the charger cable from the operational parameter sensing unit;
compare the at least one operational parameter value with a range of threshold values; and
generate a cable theft detection alarm in real time via at least one alarm unit and a Control Management System (CMS), in response to the at least one operational parameter value deviating from a range of threshold values.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the charger cable is one of a
direct current (DC) cable and an analog current (AC) cable.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operational parameter is at least one of, a temperature and a resistance of the charger cable.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alarm unit is at least one of, a hooter.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the CMS is at least one of, a server.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller generates the cable theft detection alarm via the CMS based on transmitting an alarm signal to the CMS via an internet of things (IOT) device.
7. A method for detecting theft of a cable, the method comprises the steps of:
receiving, by a controller, at least one operational parameter value of a charger cable from an operational parameter sensing unit;
comparing, by the controller, the at least one operational parameter value with a range of threshold values; and
generating, by the controller, a cable theft detection alarm via at least one alarm unit and a control management system (CMS), in response to the at least one operational parameter value deviating from the range of threshold values.