Automated system for managing and providing a network of charging stations

Abstract

A system for controlling a group of charging stations for at least one electric vehicle includes a central device charger controller for controlling system operation. A plurality of charging units communicate with the central device charger controller. The plurality of charging units each further comprises charging circuitry for generating a charging current to the at least one electric vehicle responsive to power provided from a local power grid. A connector provides the generated charging current from the charging circuitry to the at least one electric vehicle. At least one interface within the central device charger controller enables communications with the central device charger controller and a plurality of mobile charging applications and controls charging of a connected at least one electric vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for controlling a group of charging stations for at least one electric vehicle, comprising:
 a central device charger controller for controlling system operation;   a plurality of charging units communicating with the central device charger controller, wherein the plurality of charging units each further comprises:
 charging circuitry for generating a charging current to the at least one electric vehicle responsive to power provided from a local power grid; 
 a connector providing the generated charging current from the charging circuitry to the at least one electric vehicle; and 
 at least one interface within the central device charger controller for enabling communications with the central device charger controller and a plurality of mobile charging applications and for controlling charging of a connected at least one electric vehicle. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of charging units connects to the local power grid via a ganged outlet. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of charging units further comprises wireless communications circuitry for communicating with the plurality of mobile charging applications through the at least one interface via wireless communications. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the wireless communications comprise at least one of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular and GPSS. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of chargers comprises Level 1 or Level 2 battery chargers. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector connects to the local power grid via at least one of a 120 V AC outlet or a range of outlets form 220 V to 240 V AC. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the charging circuitry controls provision of the charging current to the at least one electric vehicle responsive to control signals provided by the plurality of mobile charging applications through the at least one interface. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of mobile applications initiate provision of the charging signal to the at least one electric vehicle responsive to a user input to a mobile application. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of mobile applications tracks charging and provides for billing of a user for charging of the electric vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . A charging unit for charging an electric vehicle, comprising:
 charging circuitry for generating a charging current to the at least one electric vehicle responsive to power provided from a local power grid;   a connector providing the generated charging current from the charging circuitry to the at least one electric vehicle; and   at least one interface within the central device charger controller for enabling communications with the central device charger controller and a plurality of mobile charging applications and for controlling charging of a connected at least one electric vehicle.   
     
     
         11 . The charging unit of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of charging units connects to the local power grid via a ganged outlet. 
     
     
         12 . The charging unit of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of charging units further comprises wireless communications circuitry for communicating with the plurality of mobile charging applications through the at least one interface via wireless communications. 
     
     
         13 . The charging unit of  claim 12 , wherein the wireless communications comprises at least one of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular and GPSS. 
     
     
         14 . The charging unit of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of chargers comprises Level 1 or Level 2 battery chargers. 
     
     
         15 . The charging unit of  claim 10 , wherein the connector connects to the local power grid via at least one of a 120 V AC outlet or a range of outlets form 220 V to 240 V AC. 
     
     
         16 . The charging unit of  claim 10 , wherein the charging circuitry controls provision of the charging current to the at least one electric vehicle responsive to control signals provided by the plurality of mobile charging applications through the at least one interface. 
     
     
         17 . The charging unit of  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of mobile applications initiate provision of the charging signal to the at least one electric vehicle responsive to a user input to a mobile application. 
     
     
         18 . The charging unit of  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of mobile applications tracks charging and provides for billing of a user for charging of the electric vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . A system for controlling a group of charging stations for at least one electric vehicle, comprising:
 a central device charger controller for controlling system operation;   a plurality of charging units communicating with the central device charger controller, wherein the plurality of charging units each further comprises:
 charging circuitry for generating a charging current to the at least one electric vehicle responsive to power provided from a local power grid via a ganged outlet; 
 a connector providing the generated charging current from the charging circuitry to the at least one electric vehicle; 
 at least one interface within the central device charger controller for enabling communications with the central device charger controller and a plurality of mobile charging applications and for controlling charging of a connected at least one electric vehicle; 
 wireless communications circuitry for communicating with at least one of the plurality of mobile charging application through the at least one interface via wireless communications; and 
 wherein the charging circuitry controls provision of the charging current to the at least one electric vehicle responsive to control signals provided by the plurality of mobile charging applications through the at least one interface. 
   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein each of the plurality of mobile applications tracks charging and provides for billing of a user for charging of the electric vehicle.