CHARGING CONTROL SYSTEM AND VEHICLE - Toyota Patent on ECU Scheduled Charging and PnC Billing
Summary
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha has obtained a published patent application (US20260097680A1) for a charging control system that manages scheduled charging settings and automatically selects between Plug and Charge (PnC) and External Identification Module (EIM) billing methods based on whether scheduled charging is enabled or disabled in the vehicle's ECU. The system uses a controller to switch billing modes depending on the scheduled charging validity setting.
What changed
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha has published a patent application (US20260097680A1) for a vehicle charging control system featuring an ECU that toggles scheduled charging between valid and invalid states, and a controller that selects billing methods based on this setting. When scheduled charging is invalid, the system uses Plug and Charge (PnC) billing; when valid, it uses External Identification Module (EIM) billing. The system enables automatic switching between charging and billing modes based on user preferences for scheduled charging.
Affected parties including EV manufacturers, automotive suppliers, and charging infrastructure developers should monitor this patent publication for potential licensing implications or design considerations in future EV charging systems. The patent indicates Toyota's strategic direction in integrated charging management and billing systems for electric vehicles, with implications for how vehicles will interact with charging stations and process billing transactions.
What to do next
- Monitor for updates on patent grant status
- Review charging system IP portfolios for potential conflicts
- Assess impact on EV charging billing architecture
Archived snapshot
Apr 9, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
CHARGING CONTROL SYSTEM AND VEHICLE
Application US20260097680A1 Kind: A1 Apr 09, 2026
Assignee
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
Inventors
Ryo SHIRAISHI
Abstract
A charging control system includes an ECU that switches a setting of scheduled charging between valid and invalid, the scheduled charging performing charging at a predetermined time, and a controller that selects a charging method in the charging. The controller selects PnC billing when the setting of the scheduled charging in the ECU is invalid, and selects EIM billing when the setting of the scheduled charging in the ECU is valid.
CPC Classifications
B60L 53/665 G06Q 30/04
Filing Date
2025-09-04
Application No.
19319028
Named provisions
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