System and method of predicting future demand of a charging station

1. A method of predicting future demand of a charging station, comprising the steps of:

collecting probe data from a plurality of electric vehicles, the probe data including charging activity history of the plurality of electric vehicles;

determining a usage pattern of a charging station based on the charging activity history of the plurality of electric vehicles included in the collected probe data for the charging station;

predicting a future charging demand for the charging station by applying the usage pattern to a factor associated with a requesting electric vehicle; and

providing the predicted future charging demand for the charging station to the requesting electric vehicle.

2. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 1 , wherein

the determining the usage pattern step includes creating patterns based on occupancy, waiting time or a volume of waiting electric vehicles at the charging station.

3. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 2 , wherein

the usage pattern is based on the charging station.

4. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 2 , wherein

the usage pattern is based on time.

5. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 4 , wherein

the usage pattern is based on a specified period of time.

6. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 2 , wherein

the usage pattern is based on a day of the week.

7. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 2 , wherein

the usage pattern is based on a particular day of the year.

8. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 2 , wherein

the usage pattern is based on a season of the year.

9. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 1 , wherein

the probe data includes start and end timestamps of charging activity at the charging station.

10. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 1 , wherein

the predicting future charging demand step includes applying a plurality of usage patterns based on at least two different types of probe data.

11. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 10 , wherein

the at least two different types of probe data include a location of the charging station, a day of the week and a time period.

12. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 1 , wherein

the probe data includes locations of the plurality of electric vehicles.

13. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 12 , wherein

the determining the usage pattern step includes determining relationships between the plurality of electric vehicles and the charging station based on the locations of the plurality of electric vehicles; and

making a trend model of future usage based on a distance of the requesting electric vehicle from the charging station.

14. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 13 , further comprising

determining a similar electric vehicle distribution situation from the trend model; and

providing a corresponding occupancy trend to the requesting electric vehicle.

15. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 1 , wherein

the probe data includes information regarding arrival and departure of the plurality of electric vehicles at the charging station.

16. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 15 , wherein

the predicting the usage pattern step includes determining relationships between an occupancy pattern of the charging station and a distribution of the plurality of electric vehicles.

17. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 1 , wherein

determining a similar pattern for departures of the plurality of electric vehicles; and

providing a corresponding occupancy trend to the requesting electric vehicle.

18. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 17 , wherein

the probe data includes a direction of travel of the plurality of electric vehicles.

19. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 13 , wherein

the probe data includes a state of charge of the plurality of electric vehicles; and

the determining the usage pattern step includes predicting charging activity based on the state of charge.

20. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 19 , further comprising

predicting an occupancy trend at the charging station based on the electric vehicles proximal the charging station.

21. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 1 , wherein

the probe data includes destination settings for the plurality of electric vehicles; and

determining a probability of charging activity occurring at the charging station based on the destination settings when the requesting electric vehicle sets a destination.

22. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 21 , further comprising

the probe data includes destination settings for a specific time period; and

providing an occupancy trend based on the destination settings to the requesting electric vehicle.

23. A system of predicting future demand of a charging station, comprising:

a data center including

a data collector configured to collect probe data from a plurality of electric vehicles, the probe data including charging activity history of the plurality of electric vehicles;

a determination unit configured to determine a usage pattern of a charging station based on the charging activity history of the plurality of electric vehicles included in the collected probe data for the charging station and to predict a future charging demand for the charging station by applying the usage pattern to a factor associated with a requesting electric vehicle; and

a transmitting unit configured to transmit the predicted future charging demand; and

a requesting electric vehicle including

a communication unit configured to receive the predicted future charging demand for the charging station from the transmitting unit; and

a display configured to display the predicted future charging demand.

24. The system of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 23 , wherein

the charging station includes at least one charger.

25. A method of predicting future demand of a charging station, comprising the steps of:

collecting probe data from a plurality of electric vehicles, the probe data including charging activity history of the plurality of electric vehicles and a direction of travel of the plurality of electric vehicles;

determining a usage pattern of a charging station based on the collected probe data for the charging station;

determining a similar pattern for departures of the plurality of electric vehicles based on the collected probe data for the charging station;

determining a relationship between an occupancy pattern of the charging station and the direction of travel of the plurality of electric vehicles

predicting a future charging demand for the charging station by applying the usage pattern to a factor associated with a requesting electric vehicle;

providing the predicted future charging demand for the charging station to the requesting electric vehicle; and

providing a corresponding occupancy trend to the requesting electric vehicle.

26. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 25 , wherein

determining a similar usage pattern based on the requesting electric vehicles direction of travel; and

providing a corresponding occupancy trend to the requesting electric vehicle.