WO2011044543A2

WO2011044543A2 - Method and process of administrating electric vehicle charge stations and billing for the recharging of electric vehicles leveraging a single connection action using low cost charge stations

Info

Publication number: WO2011044543A2
Application number: PCT/US2010/052114
Authority: WO
Inventors: Levy Paul; Butler Edward; C. Thomas John
Original assignee: Levy Paul; Butler Edward; John C Thomas
Priority date: 2009-10-09
Filing date: 2010-10-09
Publication date: 2011-04-14
Also published as: WO2011044543A3

Abstract

A method and system is provided in which an electric vehicle charging station connects to the host computer system using un-dedicated network resource contained within the electric vehicle to be charged enabling un-supervised (non-networked) deployment of said charging stations, the customer places an order and receives goods by the single action of connecting an electrical vehicle (EV) to a charging station according to the business terms associated with this invention, the affiliated organizations that purchase or support the operation of the invention participate in a business "franchise" operation whereby all affiliated organizations increase their revenues as the volume of EV charging events increases.

Description

METHOD AND PROCESS OF ADMINISTRATING ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGE

STATIONS AND BILLING FOR THE RECHARGING OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES LEVERAGING A SINGLE CONNECTION ACTION USING LOW COST CHARGE STATIONS

Field of the Invention

[01]The present invention relates to the single-action fully automated method and system for placing an order and delivering goods leveraging pre-arranged agreements over the Internet (or other networks) and enabling multiple parties to share in the revenues generated from the sales of said goods leveraging field of data communication, authentication and billing as it relates to the cost of power used to re-charge Electrical Vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method, apparatus, and system providing for the means to bind billing information from the consumer to the vendor of Electric Vehicle charging services without a pre-established permanent communications method from the Charge Station or dependence on financial institutions credit card or debit card services.

Background

[02]As electrical vehicles enter mass production there is a desire to conveniently extend operating range. Today, this range is extended by employment of a hybrid self-contained, gas fueled, motor-generating set. As battery technology increases storage capacity, the need for self- contained power generation decreases. This increases the operating range of the electric only operating mode. This extended range will have the effect of changing the operating mindset to that similar to gas fueled in that the deployment of ubiquitous electrical charging stations extends the vehicle operation thus becoming un-tethered from its home base. The key to extended range operation is the convenient use of Charging Stations that are both simple to manufacture and low cost to maintain and deploy.

[03] As electrical vehicles (EV) enter mass production a new infrastructure that consists of numerous, conveniently located electrical charging stations will be required such that drivers can reliably re-charge their EV's batteries while away from home. Furthermore, EV battery charging technology that is simple to use (i.e. does not require human supervision nor the use of cash, credit cards, debit cards, and/or digital "smart" cards) and least costly to manufacture, install, and maintain (because it is not burdened with network communications technologies) is most likely to achieve wide-spread adoption. Such charging stations will enable the EV driver to experience the same ease of re-charging their EV remotely that they experience while recharging at home, with the convenience of having the electricity cost for all EV re-charging (whether done at home or away from home) charged to a credit account, consolidated onto the regular monthly invoice, or automatically deducted from a bank account of their choice. The introduction of EV charging technology will require inherent business risks on the part of the manufacturers of EVs and the owner operators of EV charging facilities. Because of these risks, the EV charging technology which offers such entities the opportunity to establish a business "franchise" based on fees associated with EV charging events is most likely to be adopted. The combined attraction of such EV charging technology for EV owners (for convenience), EV charge service providers (for the for the cost of ownership of the charging technology) and EV Manufacturers and EV charge service providers (for the business value offered by the

"franchise") would create the greatest likelihood for accelerated adoption of this technology in the market.

Summary of the invention

[04]The objective of this invention is to provide a method that in response to a Single Action Event; initiates, establishes, and completes an end-to-end transaction based solution for charging Electric Vehicles via networked connected infrastructure.

[05]The Single Action Event occurs when an Electric Vehicle is coupled to an Electric Vehicle Charging Station. This coupling initiates an automated sequence of events that encompasses consumer and charging service provider identification and authorization, utility company electricity rates and policy, cost assessment of services rendered, method of payment via electronic billing transaction, and distribution of billing fees across interested parties such as Electric Vehicle Manufacturers and Charging Station Service Providers etc.

[06] Consumer and charging service provider identification and authorization collateral is determined via prearranged agreements. Said agreements and contracts are individually established between interested parties where identification and authorization data is collected, secured, and is used in the end-to-end Electric Vehicle charging transaction based solution.

[07]Utility Company electricity rates and policy are dynamically accessed and implemented "real-time" to calculate and determine the exact electricity rates and policy during the active charge cycle for billing fee determination.

[08]Method of payment via electronic billing transaction, and distribution of billing fees across interested parties such as Electric Vehicle Manufacturers and Charging Station Service Providers etc is predetermined via agreements. When the Electric Vehicle charging cycle terminates billing information and fees are registered and interested parties accounts are modulated accordingly

[09]The Single Action Event is not limited to having an internet and / or network connection at the immediate time the Electric Vehicle connects to an Electric Charging Station having charging services rendered. Intelligence is comprehended and built-in to "store and forward" relevant information when a network connection is eventually established. This store and forward capability establish a uniqueness that allows the Electric Vehicle Charge Stations to be placed in locations where a network connection may not be feasible thus allowing the Electric Vehicle to "Roam" and attaining a charge anywhere there is a Utility Company service available, i.e. power lines

[10]In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a circuit arrangement which includes a central processor. The central processor includes flash memory that contains a unique private key in accordance with a-symmetrical encryption methods used to decrypt and verify trusted messages, a Wire-Line radio used to send and receive messages to and thru a connected electric vehicle, a display panel used to indicate status.

[1 l]In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a circuit arrangement which includes a switch that connects utility power to the connected electric vehicle.

[12]In accordance with an additional aspect of the invention, there is provided a circuit arrangement which includes a current measurement device which reports the amount of power delivered to the connected electrical vehicle.

[13]In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a method is provided for controlling with a central processor, the operation of the Wire-Line radio, the operation of the switch, the messages to and from the Electric Vehicle, the messages thru the Electric Vehicle to an authentication method by means of a wireless radio.

[14]The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment, or every implementation, of the present invention. This is the purpose of the figures and the detailed description which follow.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[15]Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

[16]FIGURE 1. Is a functional diagram of the Electric Vehicle charging system consistent with the principles of the present invention and shown coupled to an external power source.

[17]FIGURE 2. Is a functional block diagram of a portion of the circuit board in the Electric Vehicle of FIGURE 1

[18]FIGURE 3. Is a functional block diagram of a portion of the circuit board in the Charging Station of FIGURE 1 [19]FIGURE 4 Is a functional block illustrating the connection between the Change Station and Electric Vehicle.

[20]FIGURE 5 Is a functional block illustrating the connection between the Electric Vehicle and Authorization Server.

[21JFIGURE 6 Is a functional block illustrating the connection between the Change Station and Electric Vehicle and Authorization Server.

[22JFIGURE 7A. and FIG 7B. Is a flowchart illustrating the program flow executing on the CPU of FIGURE 3.

[23]FIGURE 8A. and FIG 8B. Is a flowchart illustrating the program flow executing on the CPU of FIGURE 2.

[24JFIGURE 9A. and FIG 9B. Is a flowchart illustrating the program flow executing on the Server of FIG 1.

[25]FIGURE 10 Shows a flow chart outlining unique identifier of the client to the billing system.

[26]FIGURE 1 1 Shows a flow of a unique identifier associated with the EV Charging Station.

[27]FIGURE 12 Shows a flow chart which associates the rate schedule for power to the billing system.

[28]FIGURE 13 Shows a flow chart detailing the process of associating the Client ID with the Charge Station and sending the charge amount to the Billing System .

[29]FIGURE 14 Shows a flow chart detailing the process of calculating the Charging Station bill and recovering payment from the Client.

[30]FIGURE 15 Shows a flow chart detailing updating the Charge Station with updated billing information.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[3 l]The present invention provides a method and system for a single-action ordering method based on pre-arranged agreements between the electric vehicle owner and service provider (electric power utility and/or third party charging service) to charge the vehicle leveraging integrated client and Internet server environment. The single action is the connection of the electrical vehicle (EV) to a charging station. The single-action ordering system of the present invention reduces the number of purchaser interactions needed to place an order and reduces the amount of sensitive information that is transmitted between a vehicle client system and an Internet server authentication system. In one embodiment, the vehicle client is assigned a unique vehicle client identifier and is unique to each vehicle client system. The server system also stores purchaser-specific and vendor-specific billing information which is used for remote billing for services rendered. The server system maps each client identifier to a purchaser which is mapped to the billing account. Along with the order information, a unique identifier of the vendor is also sent so to the billing server so the client is mapped to the vendor and the vendor's electricity rates and policies in order to process billing. In the following detailed description numerous specifics are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention may be used without understanding many of these specific details.

[32]Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a Charging Station 1 consistent with the principles of the present invention. The Charging Station 1 also includes connection to the Electric Grid Utility 2 where the Charging Station receives power to run its internal operation thru connection 3, and a connection 4 that is used to supply power for re-charging the internal battery of the Electric Vehicle 5.

[33]In another specific embodiment, the Electrical Vehicle 5, consistent with the principles of the present invention includes a Wireless Communication Device 6 that is used to transmit and receive information with the Radio Network Controller 7 which is connected to the Ethernet Cloud thru cable 8 to a Computer Server Installation 1 1 thru cable 10.

[34] As will be apparent from the description herein, in one aspect of the invention provides a manner of interfacing the Charging Station 1 to the Computer Server Installation 1 1. Another aspect of the invention provides a manner of interfacing the Charging Station 1 to the Electric Vehicle 5. Each of these aspects will be discussed in greater detail herein. However, it should be appreciated that each aspect of the invention may be implemented separate of the other in specific embodiments of the invention.

[35] Specific embodiments which implement this aspect of the invention generally operate by utilizing multiple processing elements interfaced to each other using multiple communication radios utilizing a-symmetrical public key encryption algorithms to encrypt all data which travel over the public access communication channels. Enabling Public Key Infrastructure uses Public Key Certificates issued by a Certificate Authority that establishes the chain of trust between the Charge Station and the Electric Vehicle which is administrated by the Authentication Server which contains the Certificate Authority. [36]FIG. 2 illustrates a specific embodiment of the Circuit Board 13 in greater detail. As shown in the figure, a Circuit Board 14 in the Electrical Vehicle 5 includes a circuit arraignment shown in the form of a Micro Processor Unit 15 internally coupled to Flash re-programmable ROM 16 and RAM 18 over an internal Address and Data Bus 17. Secure System includes Secure Memory

20, Program Flash Memory 19 are coupled to Micro Processor 15 over Address and Data Bus

21. Other memory mapped devices such as a Cell Radio 22 used to communicate to a wireless Cellular Network, Wire-Line radio 23 used to communicate to a directly attached Charge Station, Can-Bus interface 24 used to communicate to the internal Electric Vehicle network are all coupled to the Micro Controller 15 over Address and Data Bus 21. The Tamper Switch 25 is included to protect the Circuit Board 13 from un-authorized physical access of the Circuit Board 13 by means of a pressure sensitive cover arrangement, such that the internal Battery 26 will supply current to the micro controller thru Power Manager 27 which will cause the Micro Processor to enter a safe operating mode which will erase the private ID that is used to encrypt all information within the circuit board 14.

[37]Cell Radio 22 is coupled to an antenna 6 thru connection 28 to support Cellular

Communication, Wire-Line radio 23 is coupled to Charge Cable 4 thru connection 29 to support Charge Communication, Can-Bus 24 is connected to Electric Vehicle's 5 internal Can-Bus network thru connection 30, Power Management 27 is connect to the Electric Vehicle's DC power source thru connection 31.

[38]FIG. 3 illustrates a specific embodiment of the Circuit Board 12 in greater detail. As shown in the figure, a Circuit Board 32 in the Charging Station 1 includes a circuit arraignment shown in the form of a micro processor unit 33 internally coupled to Flash re-programmable RAM and ROM 34 over an internal Address and Data Bus 35. Secure System includes Secure Memory 36, Program Flash Memory 37 are coupled to micro processor 33 over Address and Data Bus 41. Other memory mapped devices such as a Wire-Line radio 38 used to communicate to a directly attached Electrical Vehicle 5, Current Meter 39 used to measure the power flowing to the Electric Vehicle thru 4, Switch 40 used to connect Utility Power 4 to Electric Vehicle 5.

[39]General operation of the Charge Station is illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG 6 from circuit arrangement detailed in FIG 3, and from the Electric Vehicle circuit arrangement detailed in FIG. 5 and FIG 6 Authentication flow detailed in FIG 5 and FIG 6.

[40]Referring to FIG. 4, Initial query for connection is asserted creating the secure tunnel 142 between the Charge Station 1 and Electric Vehicle 5 using industry established PKI secure tunneling methods. Authentication of the EV-ROAM certificate from the Electric Vehicle sent via 143 occurs within Charge Station 1 using information contained from the Authentication Server certificate 145. Once the Charge Station verifies the Certificate from the Electric Vehicle 5, Power is released via connection 4 which is used to charge the Electric Vehicle. The physical representation of tunnel 143 may comprise of a wireless or wired radio.

[41]Referring to FIG. 4, while the Secure Tunnel 142 exists, two independent communication channels are opened to the Electric Vehicle, one In Bound 149 the other Out Bound 150. The In Bound communication channel supplies periodic Update information 148 from the Authorization Server. The out Bound Communication Channel is used to report Status 147 of current and past charge events as well as operation health status 146. Traffic for both of these channels is covered from the Electric Vehicle. This aspect represents the first part of a two part method of maintaining the Charge Station using a secure store- forwarding messaging.

[42]Referring to FIG 5, periodically, the Electric Vehicle will contact the Authentication Server for reporting a Charge Event, or for Maintenance Updates. An Initial query for connection is asserted creating the Secure Tunnel 151 using industry established PKI secure tunneling between the Electric Vehicle and the Authentication Server. Once a Secure Tunnel is established, the Authorization Server service 156 can update the EV-ROAM EV Certificate 144 on the Electric Vehicle by message 152.

[43]Referring to FIG. 5, while the Secure Tunnel 151 exists, two independent communication channels are opened to the Electric Vehicle, one In Bound 154 the other Out Bound 155. The In Bound communication channel supplies periodic Update Information 148 from the Authorization Server 157 to a Charge Station. The out Bound Communication Channel is used to except Status 147 of current and past charge events as well as operation health status 146 from a Charge Station. Traffic for both of these channels is covered from the Electric Vehicle. This aspect represents the second part of a two part method of Charge Station maintenance using a secure store-forwarding messaging.

[44] As an addition aspect of the invention, referring to FIG 6, the Electric Vehicle can act as a real-time communication conduit between the Authentication Server and Charge Station. In this case a second secure tunnel 158 is opened within secure tunnel 142 and secure tunnel 151. Messages 159 are used to transfer information between the Charge Station and Authorization Server such as Billing and Maintenance Updates without the Electric Vehicle incepting the traffic. [45]The following flowcharts provide additional detail.

[46]Referring to FIG. 7A (Charge Station Flow), Initial query for connection 42 is asserted True when a positive response is received from Electric Vehicle, 43 (Fig 8A) in response to detecting a wire-line connect query. After a basic wire-line connection is established between the Electric Vehicle and Charge Station, The Charge Station sends out a request for secure connection 44 to the Electric Vehicle by sending its Public Key ID to the Electric Vehicle 45(Fig 8A). The Electric Vehicle generates a Session Key which is covered by Charge Station Public key 46(Fig 8A) and 47(Fig 8A) and sends a response to the Charge Station 48. The Charge Station upon receiving a response from the Electric Vehicle sends an ID request to the Electric Vehicle covered by the Session Key, otherwise errors out to 50.

[47]Referring to FIG. 7A (Charge Station Flow), 51 a secure tunnel request is asserted by the Charge Station. The requested is processed in the Electric Vehicle, Secure Connection valid 52(Fig 8A), at tunnel query 53(FIG 8A). This query begins a wireless communication connection 54(Fig 8A) using a GPRS radio 22(Fig 2) to establish a connection to the internet 55(Fig 8A). Upon successful connection 56(Fig 8A), an Internet routing handle is sent to the Charge Station 57. The Charge Station receiving an Internet Routing Handle, generates a communication request to an Authentication Server.

[48]Referring to FIG 9A, the incoming communication request 60, for Charge Station is validated and responds with its ID number for its Public Key 58.

[49]Referring to FIG 7A, the Charge Station generates an Internet Session Key and covers this and its ID with the Authentication Server's Public Key which is sent to the Authentication Server 59. The Authentication Server checks for a Valid Charge Station ID 61(Fig 9A) and sends back a positive response 62(Fig 9A) establishing the secure communication session between the Charge Station 65 and the Authentication Server. The Authentication Server verifies the current revision status if the Charge Station 63 (Fig 9A) and sends an update to the Charge Station 64(Fig 9A) if needed.

[50]Referring to FIG 7A, 66 The Charge Station sends the EV ID to the Authentication Server covered by the Internet Session Key with a Charge Event request and KW Limit. This query is detected referring to FIG. 9B, 67. The Authentication Server verifies the EV ID's Billing Status 68, 69 and responds with an Accepted Message 70 or Denied Message 71. [51]Referring to FIG 7A, 64, the Charge Station sends any off-line billing history to the

Authentication Server for processing and stores any updates received from the Authentication Server 72.

[52]Referring to FIG 7A, 73 the Charge Station processes the acceptance by sending a debit for a 1KW 77 to the Authentication Server 74(Fig 9B), 75(Fig 9B), 76(Fig 9B). The Charge Station closes the current switch 77 and 40(Fig 3), connecting Utility Power to the Electric Vehicle thru connection 4(Fig 3) until 1KW is measured on meter 39(Fig 3). Once the 1KW of charge is consumed 79, another update request for 1 KW, 77 is send to the Authentication Server.

[53]This method of sending periodic updates to the Authentication Server while a charge event is taking place covers surprise disconnect 80, which resets the Charge Station to initial state 81. The Charge Station always sends a debit to the server prior to delivering the charge to the Electric Vehicle; otherwise all communication to the Authentication Server is lost at the instant the Electric Vehicle disconnects from the Charge Station.

[54]Referring to FIG. 8B, 82 demonstrates the notification method for a completed battery charge event while connected to a Change Station 83, once the battery controller notifies the Electric Vehicle circuit arrangement 14(Fig 3) using the CAN-BUS connection 30(Fig 2), a charge complete message 85 is generated and sent using the Wire-Line Radio 23 (Fig 2) via connection 29(Fig 2) which is coupled to cable 4(Fig 3) to the Charge Station where it's received 86. The final debit amount for the power consumed is sent to the Authentication Server 87(Fig 4B) and to the Electric Vehicle 88(Fig 4B) using the appropriate session keys. After the Electric Vehicle sends a charge complete message 85, it will send a Disconnection message to the Charge Station 89(Fig 4B) upon which the Charge Station sends a Disconnect Tunnel message 90(Fig 4B) to the Authentication Server 91 (Fig 9A) which disconnects it session 92(Fig 9A) with the Charge Station. The Charge Station also terminates the Secure Channel to the Electric Vehicle message 90(Fig 4B) and returns to idle state waiting for the next connection.

[55]Referring to FIG 7A, 57 or 65, If the wireless connection was not available, a no-connect message is sent to the Charge Station which causes the Charge Station to access the Electric Vehicle per-arranged credit line 59.

[56]Referring to FIG 8A, A pre-determined credit balance is stored within secure memory on 13(Fig 2) within the Electric Vehicle is processed 93 and returned to the Charge Station 94. [57]Referring to FIG 4B, the Charge Station verifies there is a positive balance 95, and issues a 1KW debit message to the Electric Vehicle 98 and also stored it the Charge Station History Log 101. The message is processed in the Electric Vehicle 99(Fig 8A) and stored in its history log 100(Fig 8A) for future Authentication Server sync. The Charge Station begins a Charge Event 102 and cycles thru 103, 104, and back to 59 to request new balance from the Electric Vehicle until either the Batteries are charged or the balance in the Electric Vehicle is depleted.

[58]In another aspect of the invention, whenever the Electric Vehicle Credit Balance is below the initial value and the history log is present due to an "Off Line" charge event referring to FIG 8B 105, the Electric Vehicle will send an update for Billing at a later time when the Wireless Communication is in range 106, using the Wireless Radio 6(Fig 1) to open a communication channel to Authentication Server 107. A secure Communication request is made 108 and processed at the Authentication Server 109(Fig 9B), and is resolved at 110(Fig 9B) & 1 11, where the Billing Debit and Billing Credit is exchanged. Once the Credit is issued to the Electric Vehicle a Clear Log command is send to the Electric Vehicle 112(Fig 9B). A disconnect command from the issued from the Electric Vehicle 1 13.

[59]In an additional aspect of the invention, referring to Fig 7A, whenever the Charge Station has a history log from an "Off Line" Charge Event, this Debit message is sent to the

Authentication Server once a secure communication channel is established 1 14. This log is resolved 1 15(Fig 9B) & 1 16(Fig 9B) with the Electric Vehicle Credit Balance when the Electric Vehicle establishes communication session at a later time. Alternatively, if the Electric Vehicle had already cleared the History with the Authentication Server, prior the Charge Station contact, the history log is also cleared 117(Fig 9B).

[60]Program updates and Public Key updates may be remotely enabled every time a secure communication session is established between the EV and the Authentication Server that is independent of a Charging Event. Periodically the EV will contact the Authentication Server to check for updates referring to FIG 8B 1 18. 119 enables the Wireless Radio 6(Fig 1) to open a communication channel to Authentication Server 120, 130(Fig 9A), 121 & 131(Fig 9A). If an update is available 132(Fig 9A) the update is pushed to the Electric Vehicle, 133(Fig 9A) which is scheduled to be processed 124 and a disconnect command is issued 125. The Update is processed at 126. Also if a Charge Station Update is available based on the location history of the Electric Vehicle, a Charge Station update package is downloaded which will be pushed to the Charge Station at a later time 124 when a package is present 122(Fig 8A) and sent to the charge station 123 (Fig 8A). [61]To insure an Electric Vehicle can be charge at any time, as an aspect of the invention, referring to Fig 8B, the connection to a Charge Station 127 is independent to the Wire-line method herein. IF a connection is established and current is available 128, the battery controller 129 will charge the battery as a separate path to the Authentication method described herein.

[62]To indicate the cost per kilowatt of power based on Time of day and day of the week or any arbitrary future date and or time, a rate schedule can be loaded into the Charge Station l(Fig 1) by previously described methods based on its ID number using the program update method contained herein. This information can be used to display the cost of charging based on time and date which can be changed when ever an Electric Vehicle connects to it.

[63]Referring to Figure 10 (EV Client Identifier/Cloud Registration), shows the EV Client being assigned a unique identifier. The unique identifier 201 can be assigned to the EV Client 202 prior or post delivery to the consumer. A Public/Private Key pair is also assigned to the EV Client. Upon consumer EV Client ownership, the EV Client unique identification and relevant consumer billing information are registered, 203, with a billing transaction service provider 204.

[64]Referring to Figure 1 1 (EV Charge Station Identifier), shows a relative unique identifier 205 being assigned to an EV Charge Station 206. This unique identifier is utilized when the EV Client is connected to the EV Charge Station and is used during the billing transaction process as shown in Figure 12 (EV Client/Charge Station Billing). A Public/Private Key pair is also assigned to the EV Charge Station during this step (Figure 1 1, 205).

[65]Referring to Figure 12 (Electricity Rates and Policies Update Process), shows the process through which a source of electricity rates and policies 207, such as an electric power utility, an EV Charge Service Provider (EVCSP), or other entities transmit current electricity rates and policies 208 to the Cloud Billing Transaction Service 209. The rates component of the

Electricity Rates and Policies 208 can be static price schedules (such as fixed rates or time-of-use schedules) which are transmitted infrequently, i.e. only when these schedules change. Rates might also include dynamic price signals (such as critical peak pricing) which are only transmitted for specific days and timeframes, for example, when the electric utility is experiencing an excessive demand for electricity. Pricing policies might include any number of policies which might be applied according to local government regulations, for example, restricting the amount of charge that might be provided during critical peak periods.

[66]Referring to Figure 13 (EV Client/Charge Station Billing), shows the process for authenticating the EV client prior to charging the EV and enabling the charging transaction to occur. The EV Client is connected to the EV Charge Station 210. The EV client checks for the charging station ID to determine if it is compliant with the invention 21 1. If the charging station is not compliant to the single-action ordering system of the present invention (for example, if charging in the EV owner's home) then the EV billing module is not engaged and the billing process is terminated 212 and charging of the EV client can resume. If the charging station is complaint a connection is achieved and both units exchange public key information 213 and initiate a validation procedure 214. If key validation process fails the EV Client transaction is disconnected from the EV Charge Station, the EV Client account is disabled, and all processing is terminated 215. If the key validation process is successful 214 a connection between the EV Client and the billing transaction service provider is established 216 to update and exchange electricity consumption related information such as charge station ID, kilowatts consumed, current policy and rates, etc.. The EV client in turn updates the stored rates and policy information (previously stored in the Cloud Billing Transaction Service as described above in Figure 12) in the charging station 217. The EV Client checks to see if it still has a connection to the billing transaction service provider 218. If it does the EV Client battery is charged 219. Upon charge completion the EV Client disconnects from the EV charge station 220 and communicates all data relevant to assessing fees for service rendered to a billing transaction service provider 221. Should the EV client and the billing transaction service provider lose their connection, the EV client continues to reestablish its connection until all billing data is transmitted. Upon services rendered the EV Client is disconnected from the EV Charge Station, 218.

[67]Instances may arise where a connection to a billing transaction service provider cannot be initiated (referred to as an "Occasional" connection) or fully maintained through completion during a real time EV Client/EV Charge Station exchange 218. In such cases the EV Client and EV Charge station will authorize charging services up to a predetermined credit limit 222 and the EV Client will be charged 223. All associated data and billing information will be cached within the EV Client and the Charge Station. Upon next connection availability, the EV Client 223 will transmit the cached data to a billing transaction service provider 221 and the process will be terminated 224. Additionally any successful future Charge Station connection with the billing system will cause the cache to be transmitted for transaction billing.

[68]Referring to Figure 16 (Cloud Billing Process), outlines the process for billing an EV Client for service rendered and making "franchise" payments to the EV Charge Station and EV OEMs. The Cloud Billing Transaction service 225 calculates the total bill for all EV Client billing for a given period of time. The bill includes battery charging services and processing fees. (The terms for billing period and processing fees are established with the EV Client upon ownership of the vehicle.) At the pre-arranged billing period the Cloud Billing Transaction service attempts to automatically withdraw the calculate fees from the EV Client bank account 226. Note that this withdrawal can be sourced from any type account, i.e. not limited to a bank account, e.g. an account established with the Billing Transaction Provider or any other mutually agreed to source. The EV Client bank 227 determines if there are sufficient funds to make payment. In the event of insufficient funds to make payment and an alternate payment method is not available (such as a credit card) the Cloud Billing Service revokes the Public Keys and or unique identifier of the EV Client and the EV Client is notified that service is disqualified 228. If there are sufficient funds 229 the Cloud Billing Transaction service withdraws funds from the EV Client Bank account then issues a billing statement 230 to the EV Client, issues payment to the EV Charge Station Service Provider (EV CSP) 231, and issues a payment to the EV OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) 232. The payments to the EV CSP and EV OEM include Franchise revenue sharing payments that are calculated as a percentage of the battery charging transaction value or per event transaction fees as defined by pre-arranged agreements between all associated parties.

[69]Figures 10, 1 1, 12 and 13 show a method of which the customer places an order and receives services rendered; a complete service is transacted by the single action of connecting the charging station to an electrical vehicle. The action of physical connection (single action) starts an end-to-end sequence of events that bills the vehicle owner for the charging event, remits payment for services rendered to the EV CSP as well as franchise payment to the EV OEM and EV CSP. Termination of the event is as simple as fully charging the EV batteries or un-p lunging the vehicle. Billing is routed automatically to the owner's account via a pre-arranged agreement with the billing transaction provider.

[70]Referring to Figure 15 (EV Charge Station Service Provider Update Billing), illustrates the process of direct billing a EV Charge Station Service Provider for a local EV Charge Station update. The EV Charge Station can be updated for example with information such as refreshed keys or polled for maintenance statistics or any other related information. The EV Client 234 is connected to the EV Charge Station 235. When connection is achieved using public key encryption, 236 a validation procedure is initiated. If validation fails the connection is terminated 240. Upon validation, the EV Client sends notification to the Cloud Billing

Transaction Provider 241 which in turn notifies the specific EV Charge Station Service Provider 242 that an update can occur. The EV Charge Station Service Provider can than send update collateral to the EV Client 234 via the Cloud Billing Transaction Provider link and the EV Charge Station is updated 237. Upon EV Charge Station update complete validation 238 Billing Transaction data processing occurs and the EV Client sends billing information 239 to the Cloud Billing Transaction Provider 241 and notification to the EV Charge Station Service Provider 242 via the Cloud Billing Transaction Provider 241 with acknowledgement. Also upon EV Charge Station update complete validation 238 the EV Client to EV Charge Station connection is terminated 240. In the event of failure of the EV Charge Station update complete validation 238 the EV Charge Station Service Provider is notified and Termination 240 occurs. Upon successful update the EV Client 239 notifies the Cloud Billing Transaction Provider 241 that billing the local EV Charge Station Service Provider 242 for the update transaction can occur and the process is terminated 240.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a. Charging station including: a power source; pre-defined re-programmable

security certificate containing a unique ID; a connection cable; an access control communication processor; a wire line communication link; a wireless connection radio; a switch to connect the power source to the cable.

b. Electrical Vehicle including: a charge connection; a wire line communication link; a wireless connection radio; a pre-defined permanent security certificate containing a unique ID; an access control communication processor. c. IP based network database including: binding linkage between an Electrical Vehicle permanent security certificate unique ID and a source of remuneration.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the Charging Station and Electrical Vehicle establish a secure Wire Line or Wireless communication session upon connection of the Charging Station cable to the Electrical Vehicle.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the Electrical Vehicle transmits a copy of the permanent security certificate, containing its unique ID to the Charging Station.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the Electrical Vehicle establishes a secure wireless

communication session to the IP based network upon connection of the Charging Station cable.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the Charging Station establishes a secure communication session to the IP based network database in combination with its owner ID security certificate using the wireless network connection of the Electrical Vehicle.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the Charging Station sends the Electrical Vehicle Unique ID to the IP based database.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the IP based network database contains a pre-defined

plurality of remuneration sources linked to an Electrical Vehicle's permanent security certificate.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the IP based network sends an authorization to the Charging Station to connect the source power to the cable connection based on available funds as determined from the IP database linkage between the Electrical Vehicle ID linked to the remuneration source linked to the Charge Station Owner ID Accounts Receivable.

9. A system comprising:

a. Network based database containing unique charge station IDs keyed to a plurality of vendors b. A second Network based database containing unique electrical vehicle ID keyed to a single owner.

c. A security certificate within the electrical vehicle which contains its unique ID d. A security certificate what contains an adjustable upper remuneration limit.

e. A Charging Station including: a programmable Real-Time Clock, a security

processor, a security certificate containing a unique ID, secure memory, current cost/KW.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the Charging Station and Electrical Vehicle establish a

secure wire line or wireless communication session upon connection of the Charging Station cable to the Electrical Vehicle.

1 1. The system of claim 10 wherein the Electrical Vehicle transmits a copy of the permanent security certificate, containing its unique ID to the Charging Station.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the Electrical Vehicle transmits the purchase limit currently contained within the security certificate.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the Charge Station supplies electric current based on the purchase limit of the electrical vehicle

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the Charge Station updates its local secure memory with the Electrical Vehicle ID periodically as current is consumed by the Electrical Vehicle.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the Charge Station periodically updates the Electrical

Vehicle remuneration limit, Charging Station unique ID and Timestamp, current cost of the charge cycle within its secure certificate as current is consumed during the charging cycle.

16. A system comprising:

a. Charging station including: a power source; pre-defined re-programmable

b. Electrical Vehicle including: a wireless connection radio; a pre-defined permanent security certificate containing a unique ID; an access control communication processor; A security certificate containing remuneration limit, Charging Station unique ID and Timestamp, current cost of the charge cycle.

c. IP based network database including: binding linkage between an Electrical

Vehicle permanent security certificate unique ID and a source of remuneration.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the Charging Station and Electrical Vehicle establish a secure Wire Line or Wireless communication session upon connection of the Charging Station cable to the Electrical Vehicle.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the Electrical Vehicle transmits a copy of the permanent security certificate, containing its unique ID to the Charging Station.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the Charge Station verifies the identity of the Electrical Vehicle and closes its switch connecting power to the Electrical Vehicle.

20. The system of Claim 17 wherein the Charging Station retrieves previously stored secure update messages from the IP Based Network carried by the Electric Vehicle that match the Charge Station ID

21. The system of Claim 17 wherein the Charging Station deposits a secure update message into the Electric Vehicle for future delivery to the IP Based Network that match the Charge Station ID

22. The system of Claim 16 wherein the Electrical Vehicle establishes a secure wireless

communication session to the IP based network periodically.

23. The System of Claim 22 Wherein the Electrical Vehicle Transmits and Receives Updates to the Electrical Vehicles security certificate and remuneration limit from the IP based network

24. The System of Claim 22 wherein the Electrical Vehicle Transmits previously received secure messages from a Charging Station to the IP based network.

25. The System of Claim 22 wherein the Electrical Vehicle Receives secure messages from the IP network that will be transmitted to a Charge Station at a future time when connected to a Charge Station

26. A system comprising:

a. Network based database containing unique charge station IDs keyed to a plurality of vendors

b. A second Network based database containing unique electrical vehicle ID keyed to a single owner.

c. Electrical Vehicle including: a charge connection; a wire line communication radio; a wireless connection radio.

d. A Charging Station including: a programmable Real-Time Clock, a security processor, a security certificate containing a unique ID, secure memory, current cost/KW.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the Charging Station and Electrical Vehicle establish a secure wire line communication session upon connection of the Charging Station cable to the Electrical Vehicle.

28. The system of claim 26 wherein the Electrical Vehicle establishes a secure wireless

29. The system of claim 28 wherein the Charging Station sends its contents of secure memory to the billing database.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the billing database sends an update clearing the Charging Station memory contents of secure memory to the billing database.

31. A method of placing an order for an item comprising: a. Under control of a client system, in response to a single-action being performed, sending a request to order an electric vehicle charge event along with a unique identifier of the vehicle owner in combination with the connected charging service Vendor ID and vendor's unit unique public key to the server system.

b. Under control of the connected charging service vendor system, in response to a single- action being performed, sending its unique Vendor ID, prevailing electricity rates, billing policies, and public key to the server system via the connection enabled by the electric vehicle

c. Under the control of a single-action ordering component of the server system receiving the request; retrieving additional information previously stored for the purchaser identified by the identifier in the received request in combination with the unique identifier of the charging service vendor and public key; generating a secure

authentication message to start the electric vehicle charge event to the charge station and transmitting billing related information to the charge station as needed via the connection to the electric vehicle.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the single-action is connecting the charging station to the electrical vehicle.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein a user of the client system does not need to explicitly

identify themselves when connection the electric vehicle.

34. A client system for ordering an item comprising: a. an identifier that identifies a customer; b. a single-action ordering component that in response to performance of only a single- action, sends a request to a server system to order an electric vehicle charge event and vendor ID so that the server system can locate additional information needed to complete the order and so that the server system can fulfill the generated order to complete purchase of the charge event.

35. The client system of claim 34 wherein the predefined single-action is the connecting of the charging station to the electrical vehicle.

36. A server system for generating an order comprising: a. a data storage medium storing information for a plurality of users;

b. a receiving component for receiving requests to order an electric vehicle charge event, a request including an indication of one of the plurality of users, the request being sent in response to only a single action being performed; and

c. an order placement component that retrieves from the data storage medium

information for the indicated electric vehicle owner and electric vehicle charge service provider and that uses the retrieved information to place an order for the indicated user for the item; and

d. an order fulfillment component that completes a purchase of the charge event in

accordance with the order placed by the single-action ordering component which specifies amount of electricity consumed as well as prevailing rates and billing policies.

37. The server system of claim 36 wherein the request is sent by a client system in response to a single-action (connecting the electric vehicle to the charging station) is performed.

38. A method for ordering an item using a client system, the method comprising: a. displaying information identifying the state of electric vehicle battery charge and electricity rates and policy information and displaying an indication of a single-action that is to be performed to order a charge event (connecting the electric vehicle to the charging station); and

b. in response to only the indicated single-action being performed, sending to a server system a request to order an electric vehicle charge event

c. whereby authentication is sent to the vendor to fulfill the order to complete a purchase of the item.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the server system uses a client identifier sent along with the request to identify additional information needed to generate an authentication for the electric vehicle charge event.

40. The method of claim 38 wherein the server system uses a vendor identifier database

identifies the charging services vendor system.

41. The method of claim 38 wherein the client system and server system communicate via the Internet or any network communication link.

42. The method of claim 38 including the act of sending from the server system to the client system a confirmation that the order was generated.

43. The method of claim 38 including the act of sending from the client system to the vendor charging station system a confirmation that the order was generated.

44. The method of claim 38 including the act of sending from the server system to the client system a packet of data that enables the update of software and/or data, as well as electricity rate and policy data, electronically stored on the vendor charging station.

45. The method of claim 38 including the act of sending from the client system to the vendor charging station a packet of data that enables the update of software and/or data, as well as electricity rate and policy data, electronically stored on the vendor charging station.

46. The method of claim 38 wherein the single-action is connecting the changing station to the electrical vehicle.

47. A client system for transmitting billing information related to fulfillment of a fulfilled

electric vehicle charging order comprising: a. an identifier that identifies a customer (electric vehicle owner);

b. a single-action ordering component that in response to a sequence of events initiated by a single-action sends a packet of billing information (including customer identifier, charging station vendor identifier, and data related to the electric vehicle charging event) to a server system to implement billing of the customer for the charge event.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein the predefined single-action is connecting the electric

vehicle to the charging station and the sequence of events initiated by this single-action is the complete charging of the electric vehicle's batteries or the disconnection of the electric vehicle from the charging station.

49. The method of claim 47 wherein the client system transmits a packet of billing information (including customer identifier, charging station vendor identifier, and data related to the electric vehicle charging event) to a server system to implement billing of the customer for the charge event.

50. The method of claim 47 wherein the client system recognizes if the communication link with the server system has been temporarily disconnected and continues to send the packet of billing information until the connection is restored and the packet is successfully transmitted to the to the server system

51. A server system for implementing billing of fulfilled electric vehicle charging orders

comprising: a. a data storage medium storing information for a plurality of electric vehicle owners, charging services vendors, EV manufacturers, and other affiliated organizations, including the unique affiliations that exists between manufacturers and owners of electric vehicles;

b. a receiving component for receiving electricity rate information (including static rates, time of use rate schedules, and dynamic price signals) and charging policy information (including any restrictions or conditions placed on charging events) from the source of this information (e.g. electric power utilities, electric charge service providers, and other entities).

c. a receiving component for receiving a billing information packet related to an electric vehicle charge event (including electric vehicle owner identifier, charging station vendor identifier, and data related to the electric vehicle charging event) being received in response to a sequence of events initiated by single-action being performed;

d. a billing fulfillment component that retrieves from the data storage medium

information for the indicated electric vehicle owner and uses the retrieved information to calculate a service fee (as a percentage of the billing generated by the charging event and/or on a per transaction basis) automatically withdraw funds (equal to the billed value of the charging event plus the service fee) from a designated EV owner's account (or charge the EV owner's designated credit account) via a pre-arranged agreement, and

e. a franchise bonus fulfillment component that retrieves from the data storage medium information for affiliated organizations (the vendor of charging services, the manufacturer of the EV, and other organizations) and uses the retrieved information to calculate bonus payments (as a percentage of the above mentioned service fee) and disperse said "bonus" payments to these affiliated organizations (either immediately or accumulated and paid on a billing schedule as defined with these organizations), and

52. The method of claim 51 wherein the server system uses a client identifier sent along with the request to identify additional information needed to calculate billing for an electric vehicle charge event.

53. The method of claim 51 wherein the server system uses a vendor identifier database

identifies the owner operator of the electric vehicle charging station (i.e. the charging service vendor) and/or the affiliated electric service utility that provides electric service to this vendor.

54. The method of claim 51 wherein the server system communicate via the Internet or any network communication link.

55. The method of claim 51 wherein the server system automatically withdraws funds (equal to the billed value of the charging event plus the service fee) from a designated EV owner's account (or charges the EV owner's designated credit account) via a pre-arranged agreement.

56. The method of claim 51 wherein the server system automatically disperses "bonus"

payments to affiliated organizations (either immediately or accumulated and paid on a billing schedule as defined with these organizations).

57. The method of claim 51 including the act of sending from the server system to the client system a confirmation that billing for the vehicle charging transaction has been completed.

58. The method of claim 51 including the act of sending from the server system to the vehicle charging services vendor, EV manufacturer, or other affiliated organizations a transaction record of the electric vehicle charging event for billing auditing purposes.

59. The method of claim 51 wherein the single-action is disconnecting the electrical vehicle from the changing station and the sequence of events initiated by this single-action is the complete charging of the electric vehicle's batteries or the disconnection of the electric vehicle from the charging station.