FR3145518A1 - Method and device for tracking charging stations for electric vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device (10) for tracking charging stations (4) for an electric vehicle (V). The method comprises: determining, from terminal data (DT1), a remaining charging time T1 for recharging at least one first vehicle (V1) currently being recharged; determining, from a video stream (DT2), at least one characteristic of a second vehicle (V2) waiting; determining, from these vehicle characteristics, a charging requirement for each second vehicle (V2) and determining a theoretical charging time T2; determining, by summing the theoretical charging time T2 of each second vehicle (V2), a total theoretical charging time T3 for each charging station (4); and determining, from the times T1 and T3, an overall theoretical charging time T4 for each charging station (4). Figure for abstract: Figure 1

Description

Method and device for tracking charging stations for electric vehicles

The present invention relates to methods and devices for tracking or monitoring charging stations for an electric vehicle, in particular but not exclusively of the automobile type. The present invention also relates to methods and devices for managing the recharging (or charging) of an electric vehicle, in particular but not exclusively the time of recharging (or charging).

Technological background

Recent years have seen the emergence of a growing number of battery-powered electric vehicles, particularly automobile-type vehicles. While the range of such vehicles was initially limited to a few dozen kilometers, the range of some electric vehicles now reaches several hundred kilometers. It is therefore possible to consider increasingly longer journeys with an electric vehicle, as is possible with vehicles with traditional combustion engines.

In parallel with the increase in the autonomy of electric vehicles, it is now possible to recharge the batteries of these vehicles in a few minutes, for example in 15 minutes to recharge a battery to 80% of its maximum capacity. It is thus possible to make long journeys with relatively short stops along the way to recharge the battery(ies) equipping an electric vehicle.

However, it is still difficult to organize a long journey in an electric vehicle without risking a flat battery, for example when users travel long distances on the motorway. Since charging times are longer than those required to fill up with petrol, waiting times at charging stations (or charging stations) can be relatively long and thus discourage users from considering long journeys with their electric vehicle.

This problem results in particular from the fact that the infrastructure of charging stations remains relatively limited today and does not allow, especially during periods of high traffic, to respond quickly to user demand. Also, it is now difficult for electric vehicle users to organize their journeys, in particular in order to limit their waiting times at charging stations, optimize their journey times and minimize the risks of running out of battery.

Summary of the present invention

One of the objects of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems or deficiencies of the technological background described above.

Another object of the present invention is to enable intelligent (optimal) planning of recharging of an electric vehicle at charging stations along a route.

Another object of the present invention is to track charging stations, for electric vehicle users, in order to minimize waiting times, optimize travel times and minimize the risks of running out of battery.

According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method, implemented by a device (also called a tracking device), for tracking charging stations for electric vehicles, said method comprising:
- reception, from the charging stations, of terminal data representative of at least one electric recharge in progress of a first vehicle connected to a said charging station;
- determination, from the terminal data, of a remaining recharge time T1 of a first vehicle;
- detection, from a video stream, of at least one second vehicle waiting in a waiting area of a said charging station;
- determination, by analysis of the video stream, of at least one characteristic of each second vehicle;
- determination, from said at least one characteristic of each second vehicle, of a recharging requirement for each second vehicle;
- determination, from the recharging requirement of each second vehicle, of a theoretical recharging time T2;
- determination, by adding the theoretical charging time T2 of each second vehicle, of a total theoretical charging time T3 for each charging station; and
- determination, from times T1 and T3, of an overall theoretical charging time T4 for each charging station.

The present invention advantageously makes it possible to reliably and accurately predict (or evaluate) the waiting time that a user will have to wait to perform an electric recharge of an electric vehicle at a charging station. This is possible in particular by taking into consideration terminal data representative of a remaining charging time for at least a first vehicle and video data representative of at least a second vehicle waiting in front of the charging stations. The overall theoretical charging time T4 of each charging station can then be used in various ways to help a user perform or plan an electric recharge. The invention makes it possible in particular to reduce the waiting times of users to perform an electric recharge, optimize travel times and minimize the risks of running out of battery. The experience of users of electric vehicles can thus be significantly improved, which helps to improve public confidence in this type of vehicle.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible in particular to improve the management of electric vehicle flows at charging stations, for example by integrating these waiting time predictions into navigation applications (journey planning application, etc.). This better management of vehicle flows will help to reduce waiting times and optimize journey times. In addition, a more reliable prediction of waiting times increases the acceptability of waiting times on the customer side.

The method according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, in particular among the embodiments which follow.

According to a particular embodiment, the terminal data, received from the charging terminals, include the remaining charging time T1 associated with each first vehicle connected to a said charging terminal to complete an electric recharge in progress.

According to a particular embodiment, each charging station comprises a waiting area intended to receive each second vehicle waiting to recharge at said charging station,
in which the video stream is received from at least one camera viewing the waiting area of each charging station.

According to a particular embodiment, said at least one characteristic determined for each second vehicle comprises at least one of:
- a type or model of said second vehicle; and
- a registration code entered on said second vehicle.

According to a particular embodiment, determining a charging requirement for each second vehicle comprises:
- searching in a database or a computer network, from said at least one characteristic of said second vehicle, for the need for recharging.

According to a particular embodiment, the method comprises for at least one said second vehicle:
- receiving status data representative of a current state of charge of a battery of the second vehicle;
wherein the charging requirement for said second vehicle is determined based on said current state of charge.

According to a particular embodiment, the method further comprises:
- sending, to a terminal, availability information including the overall theoretical charging time T4 of at least one charging station to enable planning of an electric charge of a third vehicle.

It should be noted that the various embodiments mentioned above in relation to the tracking method according to the first aspect of the invention as well as the associated advantages apply in a similar manner to the tracking device (or processing device) according to the second aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a method of managing (or controlling) recharging comprising a terminal cooperating with a tracking device, the method comprising:
- sending, by the terminal to the tracking device, of an information request;
- tracking, by the tracking device, of charging stations by implementing a tracking method according to the first aspect of the invention;
- reception in response to the request, by the terminal, of availability information generated by the tracking device during tracking, said availability information comprising the overall theoretical charging time T4 of at least one charging station; and
- identification of a charging station, called a compatible charging station, among the charging stations by comparing the overall theoretical charging time T4 of the compatible charging station with user criteria including a vehicle charging requirement and vehicle location data.

According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which comprises instructions adapted for executing the steps of the tracking method according to the first aspect of the present invention and/or of the management method according to the third aspect of the present invention, this in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor. In other words, the different steps of the tracking method and/or of the management method are determined by computer program instructions. This computer program is configured to be implemented in a tracking device of the second aspect of the invention and/or in a system comprising said tracking device, or more generally in a computer.

Such a computer program may use any programming language, and may be in the form of source code, object code, or code intermediate between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a recording medium (or information medium), readable by the tracking device according to the second aspect and/or by a system comprising said tracking device, or more generally by a computer (or a processor), on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for executing the steps of the tracking method according to the first aspect of the present invention and/or the steps of the management method according to the third aspect of the present invention.

On the one hand, the recording medium may be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may include a storage medium, such as a ROM memory, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit type ROM memory, or a magnetic recording medium or a hard disk.

On the other hand, this recording medium may also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or hertzian radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention may in particular be downloaded from a network such as the Internet.

Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the method or methods in question.

Brief description of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 4, in which:

schematically illustrates an environment in which a tracking device cooperates with a charging station to track the status of charging terminals and in which a terminal cooperates with the tracking device to manage the charging of an electric vehicle, according to at least one particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

schematically illustrates a tracking method (or process) implemented by the tracking device of the , according to at least one particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

schematically illustrates the tracking device of Figures 1-2 and a system comprising the tracking device and the terminal of the , according to at least one particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention; and

illustrates a diagram of different steps of a method of tracking the tracking device of Figures 1-3, according to at least one particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Description of examples of implementation

A tracking method, a tracking device, a management method and a system for implementing the management method will now be described in the following according to particular and non-limiting embodiments of the invention with joint reference to FIGS. 1-4. Unless otherwise indicated, elements common or similar to several figures bear the same reference signs and have identical or similar characteristics, so that these common elements are generally not described again for the sake of simplicity.

The terms “first(s)”, “second(s)”, etc. are used in this document by arbitrary convention to enable the identification and distinction of different elements implemented in the embodiments described below.

As previously indicated, the invention relates in particular to a method for tracking charging stations for electric vehicles, this method aiming in particular to estimate a charging time for recharging an electric vehicle. To do this, the tracking method relies in particular on taking into account terminal data provided by the charging stations and video data representative of at least one vehicle waiting in front of one (or at least one) of the charging stations.

In this document, the concepts of charge and recharge (and related concepts: loading/recharging, etc.) are used interchangeably. The invention aims in particular to electrically recharge (or charge) an electric vehicle, or more precisely the battery(ies) equipping said electric vehicle.

According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment, the monitoring method comprises:
- reception, from the charging stations, of terminal data representative of at least one electric recharge in progress of a first vehicle connected to a said charging station;
- determination, from the terminal data, of a remaining recharge time T1 of a first vehicle;
- detection, from a video stream, of at least one second vehicle waiting in a waiting area of a said charging station;
- determination, by analysis of the video stream, of at least one characteristic of each second vehicle;
- determination, from said at least one characteristic of each second vehicle, of a recharging requirement for each second vehicle;
- determination, from the recharging requirement of each second vehicle, of a theoretical recharging time T2;
- determination, by adding the theoretical charging time T2 of each second vehicle, of a total theoretical charging time T3 for each charging station; and
- determination, from times T1 and T3, of an overall theoretical charging time T4 for each charging station.

Taking into account terminal data representative of a remaining charging time for at least one first vehicle and video data representative of at least one second vehicle waiting in front of the charging stations makes it possible to accurately and reliably evaluate a theoretical waiting time for another electric vehicle. In this way, it is possible to anticipate the waiting time of this other vehicle, or even reduce and optimize the waiting time, for example by selecting the charging station for which the waiting time is the shortest.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the exemplary embodiments described below with reference to the drawings mentioned above.

There schematically illustrates an environment 1 in which a tracking device (also called a processing device or device) 10 cooperates with a charging station 2 comprising charging terminals 4 for an electric vehicle. The environment 1 further comprises a terminal 14 cooperating with the tracking device 10 to manage the electric charging of an electric vehicle V3. The tracking device 10 and the terminal 14 together form a system denoted SY1.

More specifically, the charging station 2 comprises a plurality of charging terminals 4 configured to electrically charge electric vehicles generally denoted V. It is assumed by way of example that the station 2 comprises in the following two charging terminals 4a and 4b capable of being used by electric vehicles V to recharge their respective batteries. According to a particular example, at least one of the charging terminals 4a-4b may correspond to a plurality of charging terminals 4.

It should be noted, however, that the number and arrangement of these charging stations 4 can be adapted as appropriate. A charging station 2 can thus comprise 3, 4, 5 or more charging stations 4. Furthermore, the invention applies in a similar manner to a plurality of charging stations 4 arranged in any manner, for example terminals distributed in at least two different charging stations or in a more isolated manner.

In the following, a vehicle V designates any electric vehicle, i.e. a vehicle with an electrical motor. Thus, each vehicle V has one or more electric batteries (not shown), or accumulators, configured to store electrical energy usable by said vehicle. A battery has at each instant a state (or level) of charge which represents the quantity of electrical energy stored, and therefore available, in the battery.

Note that the type and characteristics of electric vehicles V can be adapted according to the case. Vehicles V are, for example, of the automobile type or equivalent. Alternatively, each vehicle V can be a coach, a bus, a truck, a utility vehicle or a motorcycle, or more generally an electric vehicle of the motorized land vehicle type.

As illustrated in , V1 vehicles (also called “first vehicles”) can thus connect (or couple) to the charging stations 4 to recharge electrically, that is to say to perform an electrical recharge of their respective battery(ies). It is assumed subsequently for the sake of simplification of the presentation that each vehicle V considered has a single battery. Various types of battery and charging station can be envisaged depending on the case.

Subsequently, it is assumed for example at a current time that two first vehicles V1 are coupled respectively to the charging stations 4a and 4b. Once connected, each charging station 4 can thus deliver electrical energy to the corresponding first vehicle V1 in order to reach a given charge level, for example 80%, 90%, or even 100%, of the maximum charge capacity of the battery of said vehicle V1 concerned.

As described below, the charging stations 4 are configured to monitor the status (or progress) of a vehicle V1 recharge in progress and to generate DT1 data, called terminal data (or charging data), representative of at least one electric recharge in progress of a vehicle V1 connected to a charging station 4. This DT1 terminal data can be transmitted to the tracking device 10, for example via a communication network 12.

Each charging station 4 comprises (or is associated with) a respective waiting area 8 intended to receive at least one second vehicle V2, called the second vehicle (or waiting vehicle), waiting to perform an electric recharge. Thus, if no charging station 4 is available at a given time, each second vehicle V2 positions itself in the waiting area 8 of a charging station 4 in order to wait for a space to become available to perform a recharge.

A waiting area 8 may be dedicated to a single charging station 4 or be common to several charging stations 4 depending on the case. Each waiting area 8 may be configured in various ways, and may in particular be in the form of a queue or a parking area, etc. A waiting area 8 may for example be positioned in front of one or more associated charging stations 8.

As illustrated in , it is assumed in the following that a waiting area 8a (and respectively a waiting area 8b) is intended to accommodate at least a second vehicle V2 waiting to recharge at the charging station 4a (and respectively the charging station 4b).

Furthermore, the charging station 2 comprises at least one camera 6 (or any image capture device) configured to view (or monitor) the waiting area(s) 8 of the charging stations 4. In the following, it is assumed by way of example that a camera 6a is configured to view the waiting area 8a of the charging station 4a and that a camera 6b is configured to view the waiting area 8b of the charging station 4b, although other configurations are possible. Alternatively, a camera 6 may be used to view several waiting areas 8. Several cameras 4 may also be deployed to view the same waiting area 8, for example to multiply the viewing angles or viewing configurations, and thus improve the video coverage of the waiting areas 8.

The cameras 6a and 6b are configured to generate a video stream (or video data) DT2 representing respectively the waiting areas 8a and 8b. Thus, the cameras 6 make it possible to view each second vehicle V2 located at a given time in a waiting area 8 of the station 2. This video stream DT2 (comprising the video data generated by the cameras 6a and 6b) can be transmitted to the tracking device 10, for example via the communication network 12.

As described below, the video stream DT2 from the cameras 6 makes it possible to detect each vehicle V2 positioned in a waiting zone 8 and to detect at least one characteristic CR1 of said vehicle V2. The nature and number of the characteristics CR1 thus detected may vary as described later.

As also represented in , we consider a vehicle V3, called the third vehicle, other than vehicles V1 and V2 located at charging station 2. This vehicle V3 is distant from charging station 2; it may be traveling on any traffic lane along a given route or be parked at a distance from station 2 for example.

The third vehicle V3 can, if necessary, stop at any charging station to partially or completely recharge its battery. To this end, the driver of the vehicle V3 can, for example, decide to head towards station 2 in order to perform an electric recharge by connecting the vehicle V3 to one of the charging stations 4. If none of them are available, the vehicle V3 can be positioned in the waiting phase in one of the waiting areas 8.

It is assumed that a user (for example the driver) of the vehicle V3 uses a terminal T3 configured to manage the electric charging of the vehicle V3. This terminal T3 can take the form of a mobile terminal (for example a smartphone) or a device embedded in the vehicle V3 (for example a computer or other). When the battery of the third vehicle V3 requires an electric recharge, the terminal T3 can manage or plan this recharge by cooperating remotely with the tracking device 10. To do this, the terminal 14 can implement a computer program (not shown), such as an application for example, configured to manage or plan an electric recharge of the vehicle V3.

As illustrated in Figures 1-2, the tracking device 10 (also called processing device or device) is configured to implement a tracking method (or process) in cooperation with the charging stations 4 (or more generally with the station 2 in this example) as described below, in order to monitor (track) the charging stations 4. For this purpose, the device 10 may comprise at least one processor configured to execute a computer program PG1 (Figures 1-2) stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) of said device 4. This computer program PG1 comprises instructions executable by the processor for implementing the tracking method (or process) as described below. The memory may thus constitute an information medium according to a particular embodiment in that it comprises the computer program PG1 comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the tracking method (or process) of the invention.

The terminal data DT1 generated by the charging stations 4 and the video stream DT2 generated by the cameras 6 can be transmitted in any suitable manner to the device 10, for example via the communication network 12 illustrated in (for example by wireless communication). This communication network 12 may for example be or comprise a wireless telecommunications network, of the 4G, 5G or other type. To do this, the device 10 comprises a communication interface making it possible to communicate with the charging stations 4 (or more generally the station 2) on the one hand, and with the terminal 14 on the other hand.

The device 10 further comprises processing means for processing the DT1 and DT2 data received from the charging station 2. To do this, the device 10 implements a processing algorithm (or calculation algorithm) taking the DT1 and DT2 data as input. The manner in which these data are processed by the device 10 will be described in more detail later in particular examples.

The device 10 is also capable of transmitting DT3 data to the terminal 14, for example via the communication network 12 or any other suitable means of communication. The nature and use of this DT3 data will be described later in specific examples.

As indicated above, the tracking device 10 is configured to implement a tracking process (or processing process). This process is now described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-2 according to particular embodiments.

As an example, it is assumed that the third vehicle V3 is traveling along a given route, for example on a motorway or any other traffic lane. This vehicle V3 may require an electric recharge at a certain stage. In order to be able to assist the user of the vehicle V3 in choosing a charging station for the purpose of recharging, the device 10 performs the operations described below of the tracking process. This tracking process may be performed regularly (for example in real time) or punctually, possibly on request or unsolicited. This tracking process may be performed in a similar manner for a plurality of third vehicles V3 requiring an electric recharge.

In a first operation, the device 10 receives, from the charging terminals 4, terminal data DT1 representative of at least one electric recharge in progress of a first vehicle V1 connected to a charging terminal 4. As already indicated, it is assumed at the current time that the data DT1 define electric recharges in progress of two vehicles V1 connected respectively to the charging terminals 4a and 4b.

The terminal data DT1, received from the charging terminals 4, may for example comprise the remaining charging time (or remaining charge time) T1 associated with each first vehicle V1 connected to a said charging terminal to complete an electric recharge in progress.

In a second operation, the device 10 determines, from the terminal data (or charging data) DT1, a remaining charging time T1 per first vehicle V1 (remaining time T1 to recharge each vehicle V1), namely respective remaining charging times T1 for the electrical recharges of the vehicles V1 connected to the charging terminals 4a and 4b to be carried out (or completed). An electrical recharge is considered to be completed when a desired state of charge of the corresponding vehicle V1 is reached, for example when a minimum charging threshold (set for example between 80% and 100% charge) is reached. This time T1 can take the form of a time range (min and max remaining time), a maximum duration of time, or any time indication indicating the time remaining to reach the desired battery charge.

The content of this terminal data DT1 may vary depending on the case. According to a particular example, and as already indicated, the data DT1, received from the charging stations 4, may comprise the remaining charging time T1 associated with each first vehicle V1 connected to the charging stations 4 to complete an electric recharge in progress. In this case, each charging station 4 (or any other associated means of the station 2) can then determine a remaining charging time T1 as a function, for example, of the electrical power transmitted (or deliverable) by said charging station 4 to the vehicle V1 to which it is connected as well as information specific to said vehicle V1 – called vehicle information – such as the maximum capacity of the battery of said vehicle V1 and/or the current state of charge of its battery. To do this, each charging station 4 can receive the aforementioned vehicle information from the vehicle V1 to which it is connected, for example via communication according to the ISO 15118 standard allowing communications between charging station and electric vehicle. Once the remaining charging times T1 have been determined, the charging stations 4 can thus transmit these times T1 to the device 10 for processing.

According to a particular example, the data DT1 comprises information enabling the device 10 to calculate the remaining charging time T1 associated with each (or at least one) first vehicle V1. Each charging station 4 may, for example, transmit, in the data DT1, vehicle information such as that mentioned above as well as charging station characteristics. As indicated above, the vehicle information may comprise, for example, the maximum capacity of the battery of said vehicle V1 to which the charging station 4 is connected and/or the current state of charge of the battery of said vehicle V1. To do this, each charging station 4 may receive the vehicle information from the vehicle V1 to which it is connected, for example via communication according to the ISO 15118 standard. Furthermore, the charging station characteristics may define, for example, an available charging power of the charging station 4, i.e. the electrical power deliverable (or delivered) by the charging station to the vehicle V1 to which it is connected. In general, the DT1 data allows the device 10 to deduce a remaining recharge time T1 to recharge each first vehicle V1 at the corresponding charging station 4.

In a third operation, the device 10 detects (FIGS. 1-2), from a video stream DT2, at least one second vehicle V2 waiting in a waiting area 8 of a charging station 4. As already indicated, it is considered as an example that two vehicles V2 are detected as being waiting in the waiting area 8a of the charging station 4a and that one vehicle V2 is detected as being waiting in the waiting area 8b of the charging station 4b. This detection can be carried out by an image analysis from the video stream DT2.

In a fourth operation, the device 10 determines, by analyzing the video stream DT2, at least one characteristic CR1 of each second vehicle V2 (FIGS. 1-2). The third and fourth operations can for example be carried out during the same image analysis from the video data DT2 (as assumed below). This image analysis can be carried out in various ways, according to an appropriate analysis algorithm. According to a particular example, the image analysis to detect the vehicles V2 and determine their characteristics CR1 is carried out by a neural network (architecture implementing Artificial Intelligence) previously trained by machine learning (known as “Deep Learning” in English) from a set of samples. This prior training makes it possible to generate a prediction model applied by the analysis algorithm of the device 10 to identify the desired elements.

As already indicated, it is considered by way of example that the charging stations 4a and 4b each comprise respectively a waiting area 8a and 8b intended to receive each second vehicle V2 waiting to recharge at said charging station. The video stream (or video data) DT2, processed during the third and fourth operations, is thus received from the cameras 6a and 6b viewing the waiting areas 8a and 8b of the charging stations 4a and 4b. This video stream DT2 therefore represents (at least in part) the vehicles V2 waiting in front of the charging stations 4. The nature of the video stream DT2 generated by the cameras 6 can vary depending on the configuration (number, type, positioning, etc.) of the cameras 6 used.

The nature and number of CR1 features determined by video analysis for each second V2 vehicle may vary from case to case. One or more CR1 features may be detected for each second V2 vehicle.

According to a particular example, the device 10 detects, by analysis of the video stream DT2, for each second vehicle V2, at least one of the following characteristics CR1:
- a type or model of the second vehicle V2; and
- a registration code entered on the second vehicle V2.

However, other characteristics of the second V2 vehicles can be considered, such as for example the shape of the vehicles, the size, etc.

Thus, the device 10 can determine a type or model of a V2 vehicle waiting in front of a V2 charging station and take this type or model into account to determine a CR2 charging requirement for this V2 vehicle. Indeed, the charging requirements can be a function of the type or model of the V2 vehicle considered, in particular a function of its battery type and/or the maximum charging capacity of the battery.

As indicated above, the device 10 can determine a registration code of the second waiting V2 vehicles (or at least one of them) by image analysis of the DT2 video stream. To do this, the device 10 detects the registration plates and detects the symbols written on the registration plates by character recognition (from images of the registration plates for example). The registration codes can for example provide information on the type or model of the waiting V2 vehicles and thus make it possible to deduce their respective charging needs.

According to a particular example, the characteristics CR1 determined by the device 10 during the fourth operation include the number of second waiting vehicles V2 detected from the video stream DT2.

In a fifth operation, the device 10 determines, from the characteristic(s) CR1 determined for each second vehicle V2, a charging requirement CR2 for each second vehicle V2. Thus, it is assumed here as an example (Figures 1-2) that the device 10 determines a charging requirement CR2 for each of the vehicles V2 positioned in the waiting areas 8a and 8b, for example from the type or model of the vehicles V2 considered and/or from their registration code (if they could be read from the video data DT2).

The charging requirement (or charging requirement) CR2 of each second vehicle V2 defines, for example, a quantity of electrical energy to be delivered to said vehicle V2 to reach a desired state of charge, for example a minimum charge threshold set at 80%, 90% or 100% or any other appropriate value. The charging requirements CR2 can be defined, for example, by a value in Wh.

According to a particular example, the recharging requirement of a said second vehicle V2 is determined (or defined) from a desired state of charge and a maximum charging capacity of the battery of said second vehicle V2.

The state of charge (also called “SOC”), expressed in %, of a battery is the ratio between the residual capacity and the nominal capacity of said battery at a given moment.

According to a particular example, the device 10 receives, for at least one second vehicle V2 waiting, state data representative of a current state of charge of a battery of the second vehicle V2. The need for recharging CR2 for said second vehicle V2 is then determined according to its current state of charge. This charging data is for example received in response to a request sent by the device 10. This charging data can be transmitted by any device responsible for monitoring the state of charge of the vehicle V2 and reporting this information, for example a mobile terminal or a device embedded in the vehicle 2 in question.

Thus, the device 10 can for example send a request to the drivers of the waiting V2 vehicles who are subscribers to a given service. The device 10 receives in return, for each driver recognized as a subscriber to said service, status data representative of the current charge status of the corresponding V2 vehicle.

According to a particular example, the device 10 determines the charging need CR2 for a (or each) second vehicle V2 by searching in a database, or a computer network, from the characteristics CR1 previously obtained for said vehicle V2. By querying such a database or such a computer network, it is thus possible to identify from the characteristics CR1 the corresponding charging needs CR2 or possibly information making it possible to deduce these charging needs CR2. In particular, this search can be carried out from the registration code and/or the type (or model) detected beforehand for a waiting vehicle V2.

The device 10 can for example carry out such a search by implementing a search technique called “web scraping” in Internet sources, for example of the “open source” type. Web scraping (sometimes called “harvesting”) is a technique for extracting the content of websites, via a script or a program, with a view to using the extracted data in various ways, for example to enrich databases, for referencing or data mining.

In a sixth operation, the device 10 determines, from the charging need CR2 of each waiting vehicle V2, a theoretical charging time T2 (figures 1-2). Each time T2 defines, for a respective vehicle V2, a prediction of a time (or duration) that will be necessary to electrically recharge said vehicle V2 (i.e. to perform an electrical recharge until reaching a desired target state of charge).

In the example considered here, the device 10 therefore determines, as a function of the previously determined recharging needs CR2, theoretical recharging times T2 for recharging the two vehicles V2 waiting in the waiting zone 8a and a theoretical recharging time T2 for recharging the vehicle V2 waiting in the waiting zone 8b.

In a seventh operation, the device 10 determines, by summing the theoretical charging time T2 of each vehicle V2 waiting, a total theoretical charging time T3 for each charging station 4 (figures 1-2). In other words, for each charging station 4, the device 10 sums the theoretical charging time T2 obtained for each vehicle V2 waiting in the waiting area 8 of said station 4 so as to obtain a total theoretical charging time T3.

Thus, as an example, the device 10 calculates the total theoretical charging time T3 for the charging station 4a by adding together the theoretical charging times T2 obtained for each vehicle V2 waiting in the waiting area 8a, namely the times T2 of the two vehicles V2 waiting in front of the charging station 4a. Thus, for the charging station 4, the time T3 is such that T3 = T2 (vehicle 1) + T2 (vehicle 2). Still in the example considered here ( ), the device 10 calculates the total theoretical charging time T3 for the charging station 4b by summing the theoretical charging times T2 obtained for each vehicle V2 waiting in the waiting area 8b, which corresponds to the time T2 of the single vehicle V2 waiting in front of the charging station 4b. By summing the times T2, the device 10 thus takes into account the number of vehicles V2 waiting for each charging station 4.

Note that the total theoretical charging time T3 calculated for a charging station 4 is zero (T3 = 0) if no vehicle V2 is waiting in the waiting zone 8 of said charging station.

Once the device 10 has determined, for each charging station 4, the remaining charging time T1 and the total theoretical charging time T3 (assuming that at least one vehicle V2 is waiting in front of said station), the monitoring process can continue as described below.

During an eighth operation, the device 10 determines, from the times T1 and T3 previously obtained, a total theoretical recharge time T4 for each charging station 4. (figures 1-2) In other words, for each charging station 4, the device 10 determines a total theoretical recharge time T4 as a function of the remaining recharge time T1 and the total theoretical recharge time T3 of said charging station 4. This total theoretical recharge time T4 for each charging station 4 defines a time of unavailability of said charging station 4 at a current time. In other words, the time T4 calculated for each charging station provides information on the time that another user, such as that of the third vehicle V3, will have to wait to perform an electric recharge at the charging station 4.

The calculation of the overall theoretical charging time T4 for each charging station 4 is for example carried out by adding together the times T1 and T3 previously obtained for said charging station 4 ( ). Thus, by way of example, the device 10 determines an overall theoretical charging time T4 for the charging station 4a (and respectively for the charging station 4b) by adding the remaining charging time T1 and the total theoretical charging time T3 of the charging station 4a (and respectively of the charging station 4b).

It should be noted that in order to carry out the various processing operations or calculations described above, the device 10 can record (for example in a local memory) the necessary input data. For example, in order to be able to calculate the total theoretical charging time T3 for each charging station 4, the device 10 can first record the theoretical charging times T2 obtained for each vehicle V2 waiting. To do this, the device 10 can for example store, in association with each charging station 4, the theoretical charging time T2 obtained for each vehicle V2 waiting in the waiting area of said charging station 4. Similarly, the device 10 can first store the times T1 and T3 of each charging station 4 in order to then determine their respective time T4.

The tracking process advantageously makes it possible to reliably and accurately predict (or evaluate) the waiting time that a user will have to wait to perform an electric recharge of his vehicle at a charging station 4. This is possible in particular by taking into consideration terminal data representative of a remaining charging time for at least a first vehicle and video data representative of at least a second vehicle waiting in front of the charging stations. The overall theoretical charging time T4 of each charging station 4 can then be used in various ways to help a user perform or plan an electric recharge. The invention makes it possible in particular to reduce the waiting times of users to perform an electric recharge, optimize travel times and minimize the risks of running out of battery. The experience of users of electric vehicles can thus be significantly improved, which helps to improve public confidence in this type of vehicle.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible in particular to improve the management of electric vehicle flows at charging stations, for example by integrating these waiting time predictions into navigation applications (journey planning application, etc.). This better management of vehicle flows will help to reduce waiting times and optimize journey times. In addition, a more reliable prediction of waiting times increases the acceptability of waiting times on the customer side.

According to a particular example, the device 10 further sends, to the remote terminal 14, availability information DT3 ( ) including the overall theoretical charging time T4 of at least one charging station 4. The availability information DT3 provides information on the waiting time to be expected at at least one charging station 4 (or even at several or at each station). It is assumed in the following that this availability information DT3 is transmitted to the terminal 14 in order to allow the user of the vehicle V3 to plan an electric recharge, for example by making a choice of a charging station 4 intended to recharge the third vehicle V3. Thanks to the information DT3 received, the user of the vehicle V3 can know which charging station 4 is the most appropriate (with the shortest waiting time) to carry out an electric recharge, and can therefore adapt his journey accordingly.

According to a particular example, the device 10 sends, in the availability information DT3, the times T4 of each charging station 4 so that the user of the vehicle V3 can have an overall view of the waiting times and therefore of the crowds at a given moment at these stations.

According to a particular example, the device 10 selects the lowest overall theoretical charging time T4 among each charging station 4 being monitored (as described above) and transmits this minimum time T4 in the availability data DT3. This information thus makes it possible to predict the time that will be necessary to wait before performing an electric recharge at the charging station 4 corresponding to the minimum time T4. From this information, the user of the vehicle V3 can thus select, in particular in view of his charging needs and his journey, a charging station 4 to perform an electric recharge.

According to a particular example, the availability information DT3 sent by the device 10 comprises an identifier of the charging station 4 associated with the minimum time T4, which allows the user of the vehicle V3 to identify the charging station 4 that he must use to perform the charging. The user can in particular determine, from the terminal identifier, the waiting zone 8 in which he must position his vehicle V3 while waiting for the electric charging.

The sending of DT3 availability information can for example be carried out by wireless communication, for example via the communication network 12 or any other suitable means.

According to a particular example, the device 10 cooperates with an application (or software) implemented in the terminal 14 of the user of the vehicle V3. The application can thus perform any processing from the availability information DT3 received, such as for example triggering a restitution (a display or other) by the terminal 14 of the overall theoretical search time T4 of at least one charging terminal 4 of the station 2, such as for example the restitution of the aforementioned minimum time T4.

The order in which the operations of the monitoring process are carried out may be adapted as appropriate. In particular, the first and second operations may be carried out before, at the same time as, or after the third and fourth operations of the monitoring process.

In the above, a tracking process implemented by the device 10 according to particular embodiments has been described. More generally, the system SY1 comprising the device 10 and the terminal 14 can carry out a charging management process (or method) aimed at enabling (or assisting in, or managing) an electric charging of an electric vehicle, such as the vehicle V3 for example. To do this, the device 10, implementing the tracking process (or method) as previously described, cooperates with the terminal 14. An example of implementing such a charging method is described below.

More specifically, the tracking device 10 can perform the process (or method) of tracking the charging stations 4 as previously described (FIGS. 1-2). In addition, the terminal 14 can send an information request to the tracking device 10. This request can be sent before, during, or after the device 10 has determined the overall theoretical charging time T4 for each charging station 4 according to the tracking process (or method). According to a particular example, the device 10 performs the tracking process in response to said request from the terminal 14. According to a particular example, the device 10 performs at least part of the tracking process before receiving the request from the terminal 14. The device 10 can for example regularly (for example in real time or periodically) track the charging stations 4.

According to a particular example, the terminal 14 sends the information request to the device 10 upon detection of a need to recharge the vehicle V3, for example in response to a customer instruction (from the driver of the vehicle V3 for example). This information request can be sent automatically by the terminal T3, for example upon detection of a need to recharge the vehicle V3.

In response to the information request, the terminal T3 can then receive the availability information DT3 generated by the device 10 during the monitoring as previously described. As already indicated, this information DT3 includes in particular the overall theoretical charging time T4 of at least one charging station 4 (for example the minimum time T4 to perform a recharge among the charging stations 4). The form and content of the information DT3 transmitted can however vary.

The terminal 14 can then identify a charging station 4, called a compatible charging station, among the charging stations 4 by comparing the overall theoretical charging time T4 of said at least one charging station with user criteria comprising for example a need to charge the vehicle V3 and/or a location data item of the vehicle (a data item representing a location of the vehicle V3, such as GPS coordinates for example). A charging station 4 is detected as being compatible if the associated time T4 meets the aforementioned user criteria.

The terminal 14 can furthermore generate instructions intended to direct the vehicle V3 (or its user) towards a charging station 4 identified as a compatible charging station. These instructions can in particular identify the compatible charging station and the corresponding waiting area 8. These instructions can furthermore include navigation instructions for directing the vehicle V3 towards this compatible charging station 4.

According to a particular example, the terminal 14 sends the aforementioned information request to a plurality of stations 2 each comprising at least one charging terminal 4. The terminal 14 can then select a charging terminal 4 from among the stations 2 by comparing the overall theoretical charging time T4 of at least one charging terminal 4 of each station 2 with user criteria as aforementioned.

There schematically illustrates the tracking device 10 as previously described with reference to FIGS. 1-2, according to at least one particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The device 4 corresponds for example to a server or calculator.

The device 10 is for example configured for the implementation of the operations of the control process as previously described with regard to figures 1-2 and/or the steps of the monitoring method described below with regard to the . Examples of such a device 10 include, but are not limited to, a server or a network of servers. The elements of the device 10, individually or in combination, may be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into multiple integrated circuits, and/or into discrete components. The device 10 may be implemented as electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or as a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

As illustrated in , the device 10 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 40 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the tracking method (or process) and/or for executing the instructions of the software(s) embedded in the device 10. The processor 40 may include integrated memory, an input/output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 10 further comprises at least one memory 41 corresponding for example to a volatile and/or non-volatile memory and/or comprises a memory storage device which may comprise volatile and/or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.

The computer code of the embedded software(s) comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor 40 is for example stored in the memory 41. The memory 41 can constitute an information medium according to a particular embodiment in that it comprises a computer program (for example PG1 shown in figures 1-2) comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method (or process) of monitoring the invention.

According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 10 comprises a block 42 of interface elements for communicating with external devices, for example charging terminals 4 (or at least one charging station 2 comprising such charging terminals) and/or the vehicle V3.

According to another particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 10 comprises a communication interface 43 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices via a communication channel 45. The communication interface 43 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and/or data via the communication channel 45. The communication interface 43 corresponds for example to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard), Ethernet (standardized by the ISO/IEC 802-3 standard) or LIN (Local Interconnect Network).

The device 10 communicates for example with the charging stations 4 (or station 2) of the by means of the block 42 of interface elements and/or the communication interface 43 so as to allow data exchanges as described above.

According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 10 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers and/or other peripherals (projection system) via respective output interfaces. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the device 10.

There illustrates a diagram of the different steps of a method for tracking charging stations, such as the charging stations 4 as previously described. The method is for example implemented by the device 10 previously described (figures 1-3), this device being able to be remote from the charging stations 4 and the vehicle V3.

In a first step 51, the device 10 receives, from the charging terminals 4, terminal data DT1 representative of at least one electric recharge in progress of a first vehicle V1 connected to a said charging terminal 4.

In a second step 52, the device 10 determines, from the terminal data DT1, a remaining recharge time T1 of a first vehicle V1.

In a third step 53, the device 10 detects, from a video stream DT2, at least one second vehicle V2 waiting in a waiting area of a said charging station.

In a fourth step 54, the device 10 determines, by analysis of the video stream DT2, at least one characteristic CR1 of each second vehicle.

In a fifth step 55, the device 10 determines, from said at least one characteristic CR1 of each second vehicle V2, a recharging requirement for each second vehicle V2.

In a sixth step 56, the device 10 determines, from the recharging need of each second vehicle V2, a theoretical recharging time T2.

In a seventh step 57, the device 10 determines, by summing the theoretical charging time T2 of each second vehicle V2, a total theoretical charging time T3 for each charging station 4.

In an eighth step 58, the device 10 determines, from the times T1 and T3, an overall theoretical recharge time T4 for each recharge terminal 4.

According to alternative embodiments, the variants and examples of the operations described above in relation to figures 1-3 apply to the steps of the method for monitoring the .

A person skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments and variants described above constitute only non-limiting examples of implementation of the invention. In particular, a person skilled in the art may envisage any adaptation or combination of the embodiments and variants described above, in order to meet a very specific need.

The present invention is therefore not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends in particular to a monitoring method (or process) which would include secondary steps without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for the implementation of such a method.

Claims (10)

Method, implemented by a tracking device (10), for tracking charging stations (4) for electric vehicles (V), said method comprising:
- reception (51), from the charging terminals (4), of terminal data (DT1) representative of at least one electric recharge in progress of a first vehicle (V1) connected to a said charging terminal;
- determination (52), from the terminal data (DT1), of a remaining recharge time T1 of a first vehicle;
- detection (53), from a video stream (DT2), of at least one second vehicle (V2) waiting in a waiting area (8) of a said charging station;
- determination (54), by analysis of the video stream, of at least one characteristic (CR1) of each second vehicle (V2);
- determination (55), from said at least one characteristic (CR1) of each second vehicle, of a recharging requirement (CR2) for each second vehicle;
- determination (56), from the recharging requirement (CR2) of each second vehicle, of a theoretical recharging time T2;
- determination (57), by summing the theoretical charging time T2 of each second vehicle (V2), of a total theoretical charging time T3 for each charging station (4); and
- determination (58), from times T1 and T3, of an overall theoretical recharge time T4 for each charging station (4). Method according to claim 1, wherein the terminal data (DT1), received from the charging terminals (4), comprise the remaining charging time T1 associated with each first vehicle (V1) connected to a said charging terminal to complete an electric recharge in progress. Method according to claim 1 or 2, in which each charging station (4) comprises a waiting area (8) intended to receive each second vehicle waiting to recharge at said charging station,
in which the video stream (DT2) is received from at least one camera (6) viewing the waiting area of each charging station. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one characteristic (CR1) determined for each second vehicle (V2) comprises at least one of:
- a type or model of said second vehicle; and
- a registration code entered on said second vehicle. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein determining a recharging requirement (CR2) for each second vehicle (V2) comprises:
- searching in a database or a computer network, from said at least one characteristic (CR1) of said second vehicle, for the need for recharging. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the method comprises for at least one said second vehicle (V2):
- receiving status data representative of a current state of charge of a battery of the second vehicle;
wherein the recharging requirement (CR2) for said second vehicle is determined based on said current state of charge. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises:
- sending, to a terminal (14), availability information including the overall theoretical charging time T4 of at least one charging station (4) to enable planning of an electric recharge of a third vehicle (V3). Method for managing charging, implemented by a system (SY1) comprising a terminal (14) cooperating with a tracking device (10), the method comprising:
- sending, by the terminal (14) to the tracking device (10), an information request;
- tracking, by the tracking device, of charging stations (4) by implementing a tracking method according to any one of the preceding claims;
- reception in response to the request, by the terminal, of availability information (DT4) generated by the tracking device during tracking, said availability information comprising the overall theoretical recharging time T4 of at least one charging station (4); and
- identification of a charging station, called a compatible charging station, among the charging stations by comparing the overall theoretical charging time T4 of the compatible charging station with user criteria including a vehicle charging requirement and vehicle location data. Computer program (PG1) comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor (40). Tracking device (10) comprising a memory (41) associated with at least one processor (40) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.