Patent ID: 8063757
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: B60L,B60Q,Y02T,Y04S

Abstract:
1. A method of monitoring and indicating charging status for an electric vehicle battery charging system, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring a charging coupler port door, wherein said charging coupler port door at least partially covers a charging coupler port mounted to an electric vehicle; transmitting a first door status signal to a lighting control circuit when said charging coupler port door is open and transmitting a second door status signal to said lightning control circuit when said charging coupler port door is closed; monitoring said charging coupler port to determine when a charging coupler is connected to said charging coupler port; transmitting a first connection status signal to said lighting control circuit when said charging coupler is connected to said charging coupler port and transmitting a second connection status signal to said lighting control circuit when said charging coupler is not connected to said charging port; monitoring said charging coupler port to determine if charging energy is being transmitted through said charging coupler port; transmitting a first charging energy status signal to said lighting control circuit when said charging energy is transmitted through said charging coupler port and transmitting a second charging energy status signal to said lighting control circuit when said charging energy is not transmitted through said charging coupler port; determining a charge state of a battery coupled to the electric vehicle; comparing said charge state to a target charge state; transmitting a first charge state status signal to the lighting control circuit, when said charge state is less than said target charge state and transmitting a second charge state status signal to said lighting control circuit when said charge state is greater than said target charge state; monitoring for electrical faults with a fault detection circuit; transmitting a first fault status signal to said lighting control circuit when no electrical faults are detected and transmitting a second fault status signal to said lighting control circuit when said electrical fault is detected; activating a first colored indicator light when said lighting control circuit receives said first door status signal and said second connection status signal; deactivating said first colored indicator light and activating a second colored indicator light when said lighting control circuit receives said first door status signal, said first connection status signal, and said second charging energy status signal, wherein said second colored indicator light is a different color from said first colored indicator lights; deactivating said first and second colored indicator lights and activating a third colored indicator light when said lighting control circuit receives said first door status signal, said first connection status signal, said first charging energy status signal, and said first charge state status signal, wherein said third colored indicator light is a different color from said first and second colored indicator lights; deactivating said first, second and third colored indicator lights and activating a fourth colored indicator light when said lighting control circuit receives said first door status signal, said first connection status signal, and said second charge state status signal, wherein said fourth colored indicator light is a different color from said first, second and third colored indicator lights; and deactivating said first, second, third and fourth colored indicator lights and activating a fifth colored indicator light when said lighting control circuit receives said first door status signal and said second fault status signal, wherein said fifth colored indicator light is a different color from said first, second, third and fourth colored indicator lights.