Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120191600 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PAYMENT OF CHARGES ASSOCIATED WITH CHARGING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE - Embodiments of the invention described herein use micropayments to make the payment for electrical consumption used to charge an EV. In one aspect, a mobile device such as a cellular telephone (“cell phone”) is used to make the payments. In one aspect, a method of payment for charges associated with charging an electric vehicle is described. This embodiment of a method comprises receiving electrical consumption information related to charging an electric vehicle at a charging station. The electrical consumption information is associated with a mobile device number. The electrical consumption information is authenticated. The cost for the authenticated electrical consumption information is included on an invoice for mobile device usage associated with the mobile device number. | 07-26-2012 |
20120201145 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING INVALID NODES WITHIN A MESH NETWORK - Systems, methods, and apparatus for identifying, invalid nodes within a mesh network are provided. A routing table may he maintained by a utility meter. The routing table may include information associated with one or more devices in communication with the utility meter via a mesh network. A change in the routing table may be identified by the utility meter, and an alert message associated with the identified change may be generated by the utility meter. The generated alert may then be output by the utility meter for communication to a central controller configured to process the alert message to identify an invalid node within the mesh network. | 08-09-2012 |
20120207028 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADAPTIVE ERROR THRESHOLDS OR ADAPTIVE MODULATION SCHEMES BASED ON ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS - Systems and methods may be provided for adaptive communications with utility meters based on atmospheric conditions. The systems and methods may include obtaining weather information associated with a location of a utility meter; determining, based upon the weather information, whether the utility meter location is associated with weather that affects communications performance; and modifying an acceptable communications error rate associated with the utility meter or the communications interface of the utility meter from a first value to a second value upon determining that the utility meter location is associated with weather that affects communications performance. One or more of the foregoing operations may be performed by a utility meter or a utility server computer associated with the utility meter. | 08-16-2012 |
20120229082 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CHARGING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE - An electric vehicle charging system is described. The electric vehicle charging system includes a plurality of electric vehicle charging apparatus coupled to, and configured to receive electric power from, a distribution transformer. The electric vehicle charging system also includes a central processing device configured to control operation of the plurality of electric vehicle charging apparatus. | 09-13-2012 |
20120229297 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUSES FOR DETERMINING POWER USAGE WITH A METER - Systems, methods, and apparatuses may be provided for determining power usage within a meter. The systems, methods, and apparatuses may include providing, for a utility meter, at least one communications interface for communicating with a home area network (HAN); receiving or transmitting, via the at least one communications interface of the utility meter, information having a source or destination associated with the home area network (HAN); determining, by the utility meter, that the information is attributable to activity chargeable to a customer associated with the home area network (HAN); and updating, by the utility meter, a customer usage amount based upon the determination that the information is attributable to the activity chargeable to the customer. | 09-13-2012 |
20120239571 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE IN CHARGING AN ELECTRICALLY POWERED VEHICLE - A method for use in operating a vehicle charging device based on an identifier provided to the charging device by a wireless transmission device. A registration device receives a first signal indicating a transmitter identifier from a wireless transmission device and an account identifier. The transmitter identifier is associated with the account identifier by the registration device. A second signal indicating the transmitter identifier is received from the wireless transmission device at a charging device. The charging device determines whether the account identifier associated with the received transmitter identifier is associated with an authorized account and provides electrical energy to a vehicle when the account identifier is associated with an authorized account. A financial transaction may be initiated against a payment account associated with the transmitter identifier based on the quantity of electrical energy provided. | 09-20-2012 |
20120239594 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING DEMAND RESPONSE INFORMATION - A method for providing demand response information to a user of an electric vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving demand response data. A plurality of energy prices based on the demand response data is then generated by a processor, wherein each energy price is associated with a time range. The plurality of energy prices are then presented to a user of the electric vehicle. | 09-20-2012 |
20120265368 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING A DETECTABLE ELECTROMAGNETIC SIGNAL FOR TRACKING LOCATIONS OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE - Embodiments of the invention described herein use an electromagnetic signal produced by a switch mode power supply (SMPS) to track locations of an electric vehicle (EV). In one aspect, a method of tracking an EV is described. This embodiment of a method comprises receiving an actuation signal; and adjusting a SMPS in response to the actuation signal such that the switch mode power supply generates a detectable electromagnetic signal. The SMPS is used to provide alternating-current (AC) power to an electric motor of an electric vehicle (EV) or is used to provide direct-current (DC) power to a battery of the EV. | 10-18-2012 |
20120268245 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTHORIZING THE CHARGING OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE'S BATTERIES FROM A CENTRAL LOCATION BASED ON BIOMETRIC IDENTITY INFORMATION - Embodiments of the invention described herein use biometric information for authorizing charging an electric vehicle's (EV's) batteries using one of a plurality of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs) that are operably connected with a master station. In one aspect, a method of authorizing charging an EV's batteries using an EVCS is described. This embodiment of a method comprises storing, in a database, biometric identity information for one or more individuals; receiving, from a biometric information input device located in a master station, input biometric identity information for a user; wherein the biometric information input device is associated with a plurality of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs); searching the database, using a processor, for biometric identity information for the one or more individuals that substantially match the input biometric identity information for the user; and authorizing the user to charge an electric vehicle's (EV's) batteries using the EVCS using one of the plurality of EVCS if the input biometric identity information for the user substantially matches biometric identity information for at least one of the one or more individuals in the database. | 10-25-2012 |
20120268247 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTHORIZING THE CHARGING OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE'S BATTERIES BASED ON BIOMETRIC IDENTITY INFORMATION - Embodiments of the invention described herein use biometric information for authorizing charging an electric vehicle's (EV's) batteries using an electric vehicle charging station (EVCS). In one aspect, a method of authorizing charging an EV's batteries using an EVCS is described. This embodiment of a method comprises storing, in a database, biometric identity information for one or more individuals; receiving, from a biometric information input device associated with an electric vehicle charging station (EVCS), input biometric identity information for a user; searching the database, using a processor, for biometric identity information for the one or more individuals that substantially match the input biometric identity information for the user; and authorizing the user to charge an electric vehicle's (EV's) batteries using the EVCS if the input biometric identity information for the user substantially matches biometric identity information for at least one of the one or more individuals in the database. | 10-25-2012 |
20120268271 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING COMPATIBILITY ISSUES WITHIN AN ELECTRICAL GRID CONTROL SYSTEM - A packet inspection system for use in a power grid control system comprising a plurality of subsystems is described. The packet inspection system includes a memory device configured to store information associated with the plurality of subsystems. The packet inspection system also includes a first deep packet inspection device configured to extract at least one data packet sent to a central subsystem of the plurality of subsystems. The packet inspection system also includes a processing device coupled to the first deep packet inspector and to the memory device. The processing device is configured to identify a compatibility issue within the power grid control system by analyzing the at least one data packet. | 10-25-2012 |
20120268289 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MONITORING A GRID CONTROL SYSTEM - A detection device for monitoring at least one message transmitted between components included within a grid control system is provided. The detection device includes a memory device configured to store a rationality database that includes at least one rule, and a processor coupled to the memory device and configured to receive the at least one message and to compare the at least one message with the at least one rule to determine a rationality of the at least one message. | 10-25-2012 |
20120268291 | SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING DATA IN AN ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE - A system for transmitting data in an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is provided. The system includes an AMI network configured to communicate by transmitting data via a plurality of physical communication media that include at least a first physical communication medium and a second physical communication medium, and a plurality of meters. Each of the plurality of meters are configured to select a physical communication medium from the first physical communication medium and the second physical communication medium based at least in part on an operational state of the first physical communication medium and an operational state of the second physical communication medium, and communicate with the AMI network via the selected physical communication medium. | 10-25-2012 |
20120274287 | CHARGING SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND METHODS OF MONITORING SAME - A system for monitoring operation of an electric vehicle charging station is provided. The system includes a battery charger configured to couple to a device for supplying current to the device, a current sensor coupled to the battery charger for measuring current supplied from the battery charger to the device, the current sensor configured to generate a measured current profile based on the measured current supplied to the device, and a processor coupled to the current sensor. The processor is configured to receive the measured current profile transmitted from the current sensor, and compare the measured current profile to at least one known current profile to monitor operation of the charging station. | 11-01-2012 |
20120290473 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING TRANSACTION DATA - A system for use in managing charge station transaction data is provided. The system includes at least one charging station and a billing server coupled in communication with the at least one charging station. The billing server is configured to receive transaction data from the at least one charging station, consolidate the transaction data, and transmit the consolidated transaction data to an electronic payment processor. | 11-15-2012 |
20120296678 | Systems and Methods for Reservations of Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles - Systems and methods may enable customers to reserve time slots at charging stations for recharging electric vehicles. The systems and methods may include receiving, from a customer computing device associated with a customer, a reservation inquiry to access a charging station to recharge an electric vehicle; providing, to the customer computing device, a respective cost for accessing the charging station during one or more available time periods; receiving a selection from the customer computing device for at least a portion of the available time periods; and delivering, to the customer computing device, a reservation confirmation for the selected time period. | 11-22-2012 |
20120296794 | Systems and Methods for Auctioning Charging Times for Electric Vehicles - Systems and methods are provided for auctioning charging times for electric vehicles at one or more charging stations. The systems and methods may include delivering, to a customer computing device associated with a customer, auction information regarding an auction for at least one time slot of a charging station for an electric vehicle; receiving, from the customer computing device, a bid amount for the auction; and delivering a notification to the customer computing device if the received bid amount is accepted as a winning bid amount for the auction. | 11-22-2012 |
20120330472 | POWER CONSUMPTION PREDICTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A power consumption prediction system includes a plurality of power meters, each power meter being coupled to a particular consumer in a local usage area and configured to measure power provided to the particular consumer and to form a power usage profile for the particular consumer based on the measured power. The system also includes a consumption monitor in communication with the plurality of power meters that includes storage for storing power usage profiles received from the power meters and is configured to couple demographic information to the power usage profiles to form a local usage area profile. The system also includes a usage predictor that forms a usage prediction for a new local usage area, different than the local usage area, based on the local usage area profile and demographic information related to the new location usage area. | 12-27-2012 |
20120330585 | Methods and Systems Involving Databases for Energy Usage Data - A method includes receiving data associated with time periods that types of electrical devices are used at a metered location and storing the data in a database, associating demographic data with the metered location and storing the associated demographic data in the database, defining a demographic type associated with the metered location, processing the data associated with the time periods that the types of electrical devices are used at the metered location and the demographic data associated with the metered location to define time periods that types of electrical devices are used by demographic types similar to the demographic type associated with the metered location, and identifying an alternative time period that at least one electrical device of the types of electrical devices may be used. | 12-27-2012 |
20120330847 | Methods and Systems Involving Databases for Energy Microgeneration Data - A method for analyzing electrical generation data includes receiving data associated with a generating device at a metered location and storing the data associated with the generating device in a database, receiving data associated with time periods that the generating device is used at the metered location and storing the data in the database, associating the received data associated with a generating device with the data associated with time periods that the generating device is used at the metered location, processing the received data associated with a generating device with the data associated and the time periods that the generating device is used at the metered location to identify time periods that the generating device outputs electrical power to an electrical grid, and identifying a preferred time period that the generating device may be used to output power to the grid. | 12-27-2012 |
20130009597 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE IN CHARGING AN ELECTRICALLY POWERED VEHICLE - A method of delivering power from a power supply to an electric vehicle is described herein. The method includes receiving, by a charging station from the electric vehicle, a request to deliver power from the power supply to the electric vehicle. A signal that is indicative of a unique identifier associated with the electric vehicle is received, and the charging station determines whether the unique vehicle identifier is associated with a stolen electric vehicle, and delivers power, from the charging device to the electric vehicle, after determining the unique identifier is not associated with a stolen electric vehicle. | 01-10-2013 |
20130013382 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE IN DELIVERING ENERGY TO AN ELECTRICALLY POWERED VEHICLE WITHIN A PARKING AREA - A method of delivering energy to an electric vehicle with a charging device positioned within a parking area having a plurality of parking spaces is provided. The method includes calculating, by a parking validation device, a parking cost associated with a parking space used by the electric vehicle. An energy cost associated with an amount of energy delivered by the charging device to the electric vehicle is calculated. A retail transaction cost associated with an amount of retail purchases made at one or more commercial retail stores is calculated. The parking validation device determines whether to waive at least one of the calculated parking cost and the calculated energy cost based at least in part on the calculated retail transaction cost. | 01-10-2013 |
20130073483 | Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Protecting Power Transformers - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for protecting power transformers. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for protecting a power transformer from overload. The method can include receiving transformer power rating information; receiving load information from individual meters supplied by the power transformer; summing the received load information; comparing the summed load information to the received transformer power rating information; and determining spare load capacity associated with the power transformer based at least in part on the comparison. | 03-21-2013 |
20130116974 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TROUBLESHOOTING INSTALLATIONS OF DEVICES - Methods and systems for use in troubleshooting installations of electronic devices are provided. In one example system for use in troubleshooting a plurality of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), the system includes a computing device communicatively interfaced with a plurality of IEDs. The computing device includes a first communication interface to receive data from at least one IED and a processor coupled to the first communication interface. The processor is programmed to receive data from the at least one IED via the first communication interface and determine, based at least in part on the received data from the at least one IED, whether or not the plurality of IEDs is functioning properly. | 05-09-2013 |
20130311138 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TROUBLESHOOTING INSTALLATIONS OF DEVICES - Methods and systems for use in troubleshooting installations of electronic devices are provided. In one example system for use in troubleshooting a plurality of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), the system includes a computing device communicatively interfaced with a plurality of IEDs. The computing device includes a first communication interface to receive data from at least one IED and a processor coupled to the first communication interface. The processor is programmed to receive data from the at least one IED via the first communication interface and determine, based at least in part on the received data from the at least one IED, whether or not the plurality of IEDs is functioning properly. | 11-21-2013 |