A method for navigating a vehicle automatically from a current location to a destination location without a human operator is disclosed. The method includes identifying a vehicle location using global positioning system (GPS) data regarding the vehicle. Also included is identifying that the vehicle location is near or at a parking location. Then, using mapping data defined for the parking location. The mapping data at least in part is used to find a path at the parking location to avoid a collision of the vehicle with at least one physical structure when the vehicle is automatically moved at the parking location. The method includes instructing the electronics of the vehicle to proceed with controlling the vehicle to automatically move from the current location to the destination location at the parking location. The electronics use as input at least part of the mapping data and sensor data collected from around the vehicle by at least two vehicle sensors. The path is configured to be updatable dynamically based on changes in the destination location or changes along the path. The destination location is a parking spot for the vehicle at the parking location.

An accounting system according to the present invention include: an information display device including a first memory; and at least one first processor coupled to the first memory. The first processor performs first operations. The first operations includes: causing a first camera to image a person, and causes a display to display a code based on physical characteristics peculiar to the imaged person. An information processing device includes a second memory; and at least one second processor coupled to the second memory. The second processor performs second operations. The second operations includes: causing a second camera to image the code displayed by the information display device, acquiring accounting information of the person using the imaged code, and executing accounting processing using the accounting information.

The present invention relates to a method and a system for charging Electric Vehicles (EV) (101) at charging points associated with a first or a second energy distribution vendor (104). A charging point (103) connected to an electric vehicle system operator (EVSO) (105) receives information related to the EV (101) and an energy transaction for charging the EV (101). The EVSO (105) verifies the identity of the EV and charging point (101) and authorizes the charging point (103) to charge the EV (101) based on the energy transaction. The EVSO (105) determines the one or more sister block chain (401, 402 and 403) associated with the first or the second distribution vendor for storing the energy transaction. The EVSO (105) stores all the energy transactions associated with plurality of energy distribution vendors (104) in a mother block chain (404). Upon receiving the authorization, the charging point (103) charges, the EV (101).

Methods and systems are employed for completing a transaction via an internet-connected vehicle by leveraging a multi-factor authentication to compare vehicle identification information and user identification information based on stored information. In addition, methods and systems are provided for completing a transaction via an internet-connected vehicle by automatic enforcement of business rules (e.g., parental control spending tools, or employee spending tracking tools).

A vehicle configured to communicate with a server of a cloud system to enable access to use the vehicle via one or more electronic keys is provided. The vehicle includes electronics and a subsystem of the vehicle for enabling unlocking of the vehicle. The subsystem is interfaced with the electronics and a subsystem of the vehicle for enabling starting of the vehicle for use of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes communications circuitry that is interfaced with electronics of the vehicle. The communications circuitry is programmable to communicate with the server of the cloud system and communicate with a mobile device. The communications circuitry of the vehicle is configured to receive a request from the mobile device for unlocking of the vehicle. The request from the mobile device includes coded data obtained by the mobile device from the server to enable sending the request to the vehicle. The coded data is associated with privileges for use of the vehicle. The privileges are defined for the coded data, and the vehicle is configured to receive information from the server to authenticate the request by the mobile device. And, if the request is authentic, the mobile device is provided with data to enable an electronic key to use the vehicle, and the electronics of the vehicle instructs the subsystem of the vehicle to enable unlocking of the vehicle and enable starting of the vehicle for use of the vehicle via the electronic key consistent with the privileges of the coded data.

A communicable charging facility, a management server, and a payment terminal installed in a store or the like are provided. The management server manages information indicating correspondence between a member's vehicle ID and a user ID, and when the user performs a vehicle charging operation at the charging facility, the charging facility acquires the vehicle ID transmitted by the vehicle and transmits it to the management server. The management server allows the charging facility to start charging when user authentication is successful based on the vehicle ID received from the charging facility and management information. The charging facility transmits a charge authentication ID to a target vehicle or a mobile terminal of the corresponding user after the start of charging. When payment of a fee of the user's product is performed on the payment terminal, the payment terminal or the management server acquires the charge authentication ID transmitted from the user's mobile terminal and the management server identifies charging history and the like.

A system for charging an electric vehicle having at least one power induction coil under control of a processor wirelessly charges an electric vehicle, wherein the at least one power induction coil is positioned in proximity to a parking location; and a parking manager device manages permissions for electric vehicles to park in one or more parking locations included in a parking zone associated with the parking manager device, wherein the parking manager also manages permissions for electric vehicles to charge via wireless charging while parked in the one or more parking locations, wherein the parking manager device has a unique address and the zone, parking locations, and charging stations associated with the parking manager device have associated unique sub-addresses associated with the parking manager device unique address.

A method of prompting an operator of an electric vehicle for pre-conditioning the electric vehicle comprises monitoring a location of the electric vehicle, monitoring the temperature of an electric propulsion system within the electric vehicle, accessing historical data of driving patterns for the electric vehicle, monitoring the location of the operator of the electric vehicle, identifying a condition that indicates imminent usage of the electric vehicle based on the location of the vehicle, the location of the operator of the electric vehicle, and the historical data of driving patterns for the electric vehicle, comparing the temperature of the electric propulsion system of the electric vehicle to a pre-determined preferred operating temperature, and sending a prompt to the operator of the electric vehicle suggesting that pre-conditioning of the electric vehicle may be appropriate.

In an electronic payment system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, when a terminal device receives, from a user, an order for filling with energy a vehicle to which energy is to be supplied, it determines whether the balance of electronic money is equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum amount of money. When the balance is equal to or greater than the maximum amount of money, the terminal device causes an electronic money management server to secure the maximum amount of money as a credit amount from the balance. After energy is supplied to the vehicle on the basis of the order, the electronic money management server deducts the cost of the energy supply from the credit amount.

A method is provided, which includes receiving, at a server, a request from a device to find one or more charge units for charging an electric vehicle at a geographic location. The method includes accessing, by the server, a first database to identify charge units that are associated with the geographic location. The method includes accessing, by the server, a second database to identify discounts available at the charge units identified to be associated with the geographic location. One of the identified discounts on one of the charge units is provided by a first merchant having a business location proximate to the one of the charge units. The method includes sending, by the server, data to the device that identifies one or more of the charge units that are associated with the geographic location, the data further including information regarding one or more discounts identified to be available at one or more of the identified charge units.