Vehicle identification for providing charging information

Abstract

There is disclosed, among other things, an apparatus comprising means configured to:-obtain charging information, where the charging information is indicative of electrical energy delivered from a charging apparatus to a vehicle; obtaining a first vehicle identifier identifying the vehicle; when it is determined that the first vehicle identifier matches the second vehicle identifier, providing charging information, the charging information representing at least the electrical energy delivered to the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure particularly relate to an apparatus, a method, and a computer program for obtaining a first vehicle identifier identifying a vehicle (such as an electric vehicle). Here, billing information representing at least one type of electrical energy transferred from a charging device to the vehicle is provided based on the first vehicle identifier. Background Art

[0002] For example, in the field of electric vehicles, during the charging process of an electric vehicle at a charging station, it may be advantageous to be able to flexibly communicate and bill for the generated energy costs (e.g., according to the vehicle or user involved). However, there are various technical challenges in this regard, such as a situation where a certain charging device does not have the necessary technical equipment to identify the vehicle to be charged. In addition, safety precautions need to be taken to prevent fraud during the billing of energy costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is particularly to simplify the detection of energy costs during vehicle charging while enabling flexible and fraud-proof energy cost billing.

[0004] According to the present disclosure, an apparatus is disclosed, wherein the apparatus includes means, and wherein the means is configured to:

[0005] - Obtain charging information, where the charging information indicates electrical energy transferred from a charging device to the vehicle;

[0006] - Obtain a first vehicle identifier identifying the vehicle;

[0007] - Provide billing information when it is determined that the first vehicle identifier matches a second vehicle identifier, where the billing information represents at least the electrical energy transferred to the vehicle.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, a method is further disclosed, wherein the method includes the following

[0009] steps:

[0010] - Obtain charging information, where the charging information indicates electrical energy transferred from a charging device to the vehicle;

[0011] - Obtain a first vehicle identifier identifying the vehicle;

[0012] - Provide billing information when it is determined that the first vehicle identifier matches a second vehicle identifier, where the billing information represents at least the electrical energy transferred to the vehicle.

[0013] For example, a device according to the present disclosure is configured to perform and / or control a method according to the present disclosure, or a device according to the present disclosure includes corresponding means for performing and / or controlling a method according to the present disclosure. Here, all steps of the method can be controlled, all steps of the method can be performed, or one or more steps can be controlled and one or more steps can be performed. For example, one or more of these means can be formed by one or more processors.

[0014] In a further example, a device according to the present disclosure is a device including at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory including program code, wherein the memory and the program code are configured to cause the device having at least one processor to at least perform and / or control a method according to the present disclosure. Here, all steps of the method can be controlled, all steps of the method can be performed, or one or more steps can be controlled and one or more steps can be performed.

[0015] According to the present disclosure, a computer program is further disclosed, wherein the computer program includes commands that cause a device to perform the steps of a method according to the present disclosure. For example, the device can be a device according to the present disclosure. In a further example, the computer program includes program instructions that, when the computer program runs on a processor, cause the processor to perform and / or control a method according to the present disclosure. The processor should be understood to particularly refer to a control unit, a microprocessor, a microcontroller unit (such as a microcontroller), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). Here, all steps of the method can be controlled, all steps of the method can be performed, or one or more steps can be controlled and one or more steps can be performed. The computer program can be, for example, distributable via a network (such as the Internet, a telephone network, or a mobile radio network and / or a local area network). The computer program can be at least partially software and / or firmware of a processor. It can equally be at least partially implemented as hardware. The computer program can be stored, for example, on a computer-readable storage medium, such as a magnetic, electrical, optical, and / or other type of storage medium. The storage medium can be, for example, part of a processor, for example, the (non-volatile or volatile) program memory of the processor or a part thereof. The storage medium can be, for example, a physical or physical storage medium.

[0016] For example, a charging device is connected to a vehicle via a charging cable, where the charging cable includes, for example, one or more cable segments that connect the charging device to the vehicle. The device according to the present disclosure can be connected to a cable segment of the charging cable, where the device can alternatively or additionally be understood as part of the charging cable. For example, one cable segment of the charging cable connects the charging device to the device, and another cable segment connects the device to the vehicle.

[0017] For example, the electrical energy provided by the charging device is transmitted to the vehicle via the charging cable. The vehicle can be understood as an electric vehicle with an electric drive (e.g., a motor vehicle driven by pure electric drive or partial electric drive), where the electrical energy for driving is provided by, for example, one or more batteries of the vehicle. For example, the charging cable can be used accordingly to transmit electrical energy to the vehicle in order to charge one or more batteries of the vehicle.

[0018] The charging device is, for example, a charging station or part of a charging station that provides electrical energy to charge the battery of an electric vehicle. For example, the charging device can be understood as a private charging station (e.g., a wallbox) designed for private use and installed on a wall. As an alternative or in addition, the private charging station can be a power outlet (e.g., a high-voltage power outlet). In other examples, the charging device is a public charging station (e.g., a fast charging station).

[0019] For example, charging information can be understood as electronically encoded information indicating the electrical energy transmitted from the charging device to the vehicle. In this case, the charging information can indicate the electrical energy, for example, as a numerical value with a physical unit (e.g., kWh). The charging information can be obtained (e.g., received) from, for example, a power meter that is part of or connected to the device according to the present disclosure. For example, such a power meter is configured to detect (e.g., measure) the electrical energy transmitted from the charging device to the vehicle via the charging cable. For example, the electrical energy can be the electrical energy transmitted from the charging device to the vehicle during a specific charging process. The power meter determines the charging information based on the detected electrical energy and transmits the charging information to the device according to the present disclosure.

[0020] For example, a vehicle identifier should be understood as electronically encoded information based on which the vehicle can be clearly identified. For example, the vehicle identifier represents (e.g., includes) an identifier of the vehicle, where such an identifier can include, for example, a sequence of letters and / or numbers. For example, the vehicle identifier is a vehicle identification number, where the specific form of the vehicle identifier can depend on the protocol used. For example, according to the ISO 15118 protocol, the first vehicle identifier can be an "Electric Vehicle Identifier (EVID)".

[0021] For example, a first vehicle identifier is obtained (e.g., received) at a device by virtue of being transferred from a vehicle identified by the first vehicle identifier to the device according to the present disclosure. For example, the first vehicle identifier can be transferred from the vehicle to the device via a charging cable (e.g., via a cable segment of the charging cable that connects the vehicle and the device to each other).

[0022] For example, providing billing information includes determining (e.g., electronically generating) the billing information at least in part based on previously obtained charging information. Accordingly, the billing information represents, for example, at least the electrical energy transferred from the charging device to the vehicle and indicated by the previously obtained charging information. To this end, the billing information can indicate the electrical energy, for example, as a numerical value with a physical unit (e.g., kWh). In a further example, the billing information can indicate an amount of cost (e.g., in euros) reflecting the energy cost of the transferred electrical energy (e.g., the electricity cost according to a specific electricity price). The provided billing information can include further information or parameters, such as a previously obtained vehicle identifier or other parameters related to, for example, the charging process between the charging device and the vehicle.

[0023] For example, providing billing information includes transferring the billing information to a backend server where the billing information is received and further processed (e.g., in order to reimburse the energy cost). For example, a communication device (e.g., a mobile radio interface) of the device according to the present disclosure can be used to transfer the billing information. The backend server is, for example, a management server where the billing information regarding multiple charging processes of multiple electric vehicles is obtained and managed. For example, there is a communication connection (e.g., a mobile radio connection) between the device and the backend server, and the device can transfer the billing information to the backend server via this connection.

[0024] For example, if it is determined that the first vehicle identifier does not match the second vehicle identifier, the billing information is not provided. For example, in such a case, the billing information cannot even be determined in the first place, and more specifically, the billing information will not be transmitted to the backend server. Then, for example, even if the charging device can still be used to charge the vehicle's battery, the energy cost of the transferred electrical energy indicated by the charging information will be billed in a different way. In particular, the energy cost will not be billed to the employee's company.

[0025] For example, a device according to the present disclosure determines whether a obtained first vehicle identifier matches a second vehicle identifier stored in an electronic memory of the device. For example, such a match exists when the first vehicle identifier is the same as the second vehicle identifier, or when the first vehicle identifier and the second vehicle identifier identify the same vehicle. If the first vehicle identifier matches the second vehicle identifier, the device provides billing information, where the billing information represents at least the electrical energy transferred from the charging device to the vehicle.

[0026] As an alternative or additionally, it can be determined on the backend server whether the first vehicle identifier matches the second vehicle identifier. In such an example, before providing the billing information, the device passes the obtained first vehicle identifier to the backend server, for example, and the backend server compares the first vehicle identifier with the second vehicle identifier. For this purpose, the second vehicle identifier is stored, for example, in the electronic memory of the backend server. For example, after determining whether the first vehicle identifier matches the second vehicle identifier, information about whether the first vehicle identifier matches the second vehicle identifier is passed from the backend server to the device. For example, the billing information is provided on the device based on this information.

[0027] For example, the second vehicle identifier identifies a specific vehicle for which separate billing of the electrical energy used to charge the battery of the vehicle is allowed. For example, the second vehicle identifier can identify the specific vehicle of an employee of a company for which the employee is allowed to bill the company for the charging cost of the battery of the vehicle.

[0028] Advantageously, the device according to the present disclosure enables, for example, restricting the billing of the electricity cost for charging a vehicle to cases where the vehicle is actually also allowed such billing. In such a case, the device communicates, for example, with the backend server of the company in order to bill the company for the electricity cost. Otherwise, for example, it does not communicate with the backend server and does not perform the corresponding billing, but advantageously, it is still possible to use the charging cable to charge the vehicle.

[0029] For example, identifying the vehicle can prevent fraud situations, that is, an employee of the company tries to also bill the company for the electricity cost of charging other vehicles for which the electricity cost is not allowed to be billed to the company. Specifically, the identification is correspondingly based on the vehicle rather than, for example, based on the user.

[0030] The device according to the present disclosure advantageously allows vehicle identification, for example, for billing purposes, regardless of whether the charging device technically supports vehicle identification. For example, the charging device is a private charging station (such as an AC charging station or a power outlet, for example), which does not support vehicle identification for technical reasons because, for example, it does not support or does not fully support the corresponding communication protocol for communication between the charging station and the vehicle (such as the ISO 15118 protocol). The described use of the device according to the present disclosure can advantageously achieve vehicle identification and targeted billing regardless of the corresponding technical design of the charging device.

[0031] Further advantages of the exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are described below with reference to exemplary embodiments, the disclosure of which is intended to apply equally to the devices, methods, and computer programs of the present disclosure.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus of the device according to the present disclosure is further configured to determine whether a first vehicle identifier matches a second vehicle identifier.

[0033] As described above, determining whether a first vehicle identifier matches a second vehicle identifier can be performed, for example, by the device according to the present disclosure. The determination includes, for example, the device comparing a previously obtained first vehicle identifier with the second vehicle identifier, where the second vehicle identifier is stored in the electronic memory of the device. For example, if such comparison indicates that the first vehicle identifier is the same as the second vehicle identifier or the first vehicle identifier and the second vehicle identifier identify the same vehicle, the device determines that the first vehicle identifier matches the second vehicle identifier. In one example, a plurality of vehicle identifiers including the second vehicle identifier may be stored in the electronic memory of the device, and determining whether the first vehicle identifier matches the second vehicle identifier may include comparing the first vehicle identifier with at least one (e.g., each) vehicle identifier among the plurality of vehicle identifiers. Such comparison may indicate, for example, that a particular vehicle identifier among the plurality of vehicle identifiers matches the first vehicle identifier.

[0034] Based on the comparison, it can be advantageously determined whether the vehicle identified by the first vehicle identifier is allowed to be billed for the charging cost of the vehicle's battery to the company, which means whether corresponding billing information needs to be provided.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the billing information further identifies the vehicle, and the billing for the electrical energy delivered to the vehicle is performed at least in part based on the vehicle identified by the billing information.

[0036] For example, the billing information includes a parameter that describes the electrical energy delivered from the charging device to the vehicle as a numerical value with a physical unit (e.g., kWh), and further includes another parameter that describes the identifier of the vehicle, based on which the vehicle can be identified. For example, the billing information (e.g., represented by the corresponding parameters) may include the first vehicle identifier and / or the second vehicle identifier. Based on the provided billing information, it is possible to, for example, i) determine the electrical energy delivered from the charging device to the vehicle and ii) identify the vehicle to which the electrical energy has been delivered.

[0037] For example, since the energy cost of the electrical energy delivered to the vehicle is determined at least in part based on the vehicle identified by the billing information, the electrical energy delivered to the vehicle is billed at least in part based on the vehicle identified by the billing information. For example, if the billing information is transmitted to the back-end server during the provisioning process, the back-end server can determine the electrical energy and the vehicle transmitted based on the billing information. Based on this, the back-end server can, for example, determine the energy cost of the transmitted electrical energy (e.g., calculate the electricity cost according to a specific electricity price), where these electricity costs depend on the identified vehicle. For example, the electricity price can be selected based on the identified vehicle, and the electricity cost of the transmitted electrical energy can be determined based on the electricity price.

[0038] Advantageously, the billing information can thus be used, for example, to convey how much electrical energy was delivered to which vehicle during a particular charging process and should be billed accordingly. In this case, when calculating and / or billing the energy cost, different vehicles can be advantageously distinguished and billed separately according to the vehicle involved.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the device further includes a storage device, wherein the storage device is configured to store a plurality of vehicle identifiers including a second vehicle identifier.

[0040] As described above, the second vehicle identifier, for example, identifies a specific vehicle for which separate billing of the electrical energy used to charge the battery of the vehicle is permitted. For example, the second vehicle identifier can identify a specific vehicle of an employee of a company for which the employee is permitted to bill the company for the charging cost of the battery of the vehicle. Like the second vehicle identifier, for example, each of the plurality of vehicle identifiers can identify a corresponding vehicle for which separate billing of the electrical energy used to charge the battery of the corresponding vehicle is permitted.

[0041] As part of determining whether the first vehicle identifier matches the second vehicle identifier, for example, the first vehicle identifier can be compared with at least one (e.g., each) of the vehicle identifiers in the plurality of vehicle identifiers. For example, the vehicle identifiers in the plurality of vehicle identifiers can be compared individually with the first vehicle identifier to determine whether a specific vehicle identifier matches the first vehicle identifier. Such a comparison can, for example, indicate that a specific vehicle identifier (as the second vehicle identifier) in the plurality of vehicle identifiers matches the first vehicle identifier.

[0042] Advantageously, the plurality of vehicle identifiers stored in the device enable separate billing of the electricity costs for charging multiple vehicles during the charging process of different vehicles. In particular, it is possible to determine for multiple vehicles whether separate billing of the electricity costs for charging these vehicles is permitted.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the device further includes a communication device, wherein the communication device is configured to transmit the provided billing information to a backend server.

[0044] For example, the device according to the present disclosure includes a communication device capable of sending and / or receiving electronic information at the device. For example, the communication device of the device is configured to provide a communication connection between the device and the backend server. For example, the communication device includes a radio interface for communicating according to a mobile radio standard (e.g., 3G, 4G, or 5G standard) or according to another wireless radio communication technology (e.g., Wi-Fi). As an alternative or in addition, the communication device includes an interface for communicating according to a wired technology (e.g., USB or Ethernet).

[0045] The communication connection between the device and the backend server is, for example, at least partially formed as a wireless communication connection and in this case provided via a mobile radio network. In another example, the communication connection between the device and the backend server can also be a fully wired communication connection, for example, which first transfers information from the device to the charging device and then from the charging device to the backend server (e.g., via a wired Internet cable between the backend server and the building where the charging device is located).

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the device further includes a measuring device, wherein the measuring device is configured to detect the electrical energy transferred to the vehicle and determine charging information.

[0047] For example, the device according to the present disclosure includes a measuring device that can determine electronic information (e.g., charging information) and provide it to the device. For example, the measuring device includes an electricity meter configured to detect (e.g., measure) the electrical energy transferred from the charging device to the vehicle via the charging cable. Such an electricity meter includes, for example, a plurality of electronic components such as transducers, analog-to-digital converters, processors, and / or internal electronic memories.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the device further includes a connecting device, wherein the connecting device is configured to connect the device to the vehicle and connect the device to the charging device.

[0049] For example, the connection means of the device according to the present disclosure may include one or more cables (e.g., a charging cable for charging an electric vehicle) or at least one or more cable segments including such cables. Such a cable or cable segment may, for example, electrically connect the device to the vehicle and the charging device so that electrical energy provided by the charging device can be transferred to the vehicle.

[0050] In other examples, additionally or alternatively, the connection means may include one or more plug connectors through which a cable (e.g., a charging cable) can be connected to the device and subsequently disconnected from the device again. For example, the plug connector of the device may be directly connected to the charging device and / or directly connected to the vehicle (i.e., without using a cable), such that the device can be directly connected to the charging device (or the vehicle) through one plug connection, while a second plug connection of the device connects the device to the vehicle (or the charging device) through a cable.

[0051] For example, the plug connectors of the connection means are designed according to common plug types for connecting an electric vehicle to a charging device (e.g., Type 1, Type 2, CHAdeMO, or CCS). In other examples, the connection means may also include other plug types for establishing an electrical connection (e.g., the F-type Schuko plug).

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the means of the device is further configured to receive a first vehicle identifier from the vehicle.

[0053] For example, the device according to the present disclosure receives a first vehicle identifier from the vehicle, where the first vehicle identifier identifies the vehicle. In this case, the first vehicle identifier is transferred to the device via a cable segment of the charging cable connecting the device and the vehicle. For example, such transfer may be performed according to the ISO 15118 protocol, where the first vehicle identifier may be, for example, an "Electric Vehicle Identifier (EVID)".

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the means of the device is further configured to:

[0055] - obtain location information, where the location information indicates the location of the device;

[0056] - determine whether the location of the device is within a predetermined location range; and

[0057] - when it is further determined that the location of the device is within the predetermined location range, provide billing information.

[0058] For example, the device according to the present disclosure obtains location information from a location sensor that is part of or connected to the device. Such a location sensor can be, for example, a GPS sensor that detects the current location of the location sensor and thus the current location of the device and determines location information based thereon, where the location information indicates the location of the device using, for example, a plurality of location coordinates.

[0059] The device also determines whether the location of the device indicated by, for example, previously obtained location information is within a predetermined location range. For this purpose, for example, the electronic memory of the device can store location coordinates that reflect the predetermined location range (e.g., a geographical area). For example, the location coordinates reflecting the predetermined range are compared with the location coordinates of the previously obtained location information.

[0060] As an alternative or in addition, it can be determined, for example, on a backend server whether the location of the device is within a predetermined location range. In this case, the device, for example, transfers the previously obtained location information to the backend server, which compares the location information with the predetermined location range. For example, for this purpose, the location coordinates reflecting the predetermined location range are stored in the electronic memory of the backend server.

[0061] For example, when (e.g., only when) the first vehicle identifier matches the second vehicle identifier and when the location of the device is additionally within a predetermined location range, then billing information is provided, as described above. It is also conceivable to combine these two conditions to provide further conditions.

[0062] The predetermined location range can particularly be understood as a geographical area that allows for the billing of energy costs for charging a vehicle. This advantageously enables, for example, the provision of further security features to prevent fraud cases involving unauthorized billing of electricity costs for charging an electric vehicle to a company.

[0063] In an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the device further includes a positioning device, where the positioning device is configured to detect the location of the device and determine location information.

[0064] For example, the device according to the present disclosure includes a positioning device that includes, for example, one or more satellite positioning sensors (e.g., GPS sensors) to detect the location coordinates of the device at a specific time. As an alternative or in addition, the positioning device can, for example, determine the location of the device by radio triangulation (e.g., based on mobile radio signals received by the radio interface of the device).

[0065] In an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the device's means are further configured to:

[0066] - Obtain a first charging device identifier that identifies the charging device; and

[0067] - Provide billing information when it is further determined that the first charging device identifier matches the second charging device identifier.

[0068] For example, a device according to the present disclosure obtains a first charging device identifier from a charging device, where the first charging device identifier identifies the charging device. In this case, the first charging device identifier is transmitted from the charging device to the device via a cable segment of a charging cable, for example. For instance, the transmission can be performed according to the ISO 15118 protocol, where the first charging device identifier can be a "Charging Point Identifier (CPID)". However, the transmission of the charging device identifier is independent of a specific protocol, which means that for example, the charging device does not need to support the ISO 15118 protocol.

[0069] For example, when (e.g., only when) the first vehicle identifier matches the second vehicle identifier and when the first charging device identifier further matches the second charging device identifier, billing information is provided, as described above.

[0070] For example, the second charging device identifier identifies a specific charging device for which separate billing is allowed for the electrical energy used to charge the battery of a vehicle. For example, the second charging device identifier can identify a private charging station of an employee of a company, for which the employee is allowed to bill the company for the charging cost of the vehicle's battery. This advantageously enables, for example, the provision of further security features to prevent fraud cases involving unauthorized billing to the company for the electricity cost of charging an electric vehicle.

[0071] For example, multiple conditions for providing billing information can be combined. For instance, there can thus be a combination of conditions such that: billing information is provided when (e.g., only when) i) the first vehicle identifier matches the second vehicle identifier, when ii) the location of the device is further within a predetermined location range, and when iii) the first charging device identifier further matches the second charging device identifier. This advantageously enables further enhancement of security measures to prevent fraud cases involving unauthorized billing to the company for the electricity cost of charging an electric vehicle.

[0072] In an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the apparatus of the device is further configured to determine whether the first charging device identifier matches the second charging device identifier.

[0073] For example, the device according to the present disclosure determines whether a charging device identifier obtained from a charging device matches a second charging device identifier stored in an electronic memory of the device. For example, such a match exists when the first charging device identifier is the same as the second charging device identifier, or when the first charging device identifier and the second charging device identifier identify the same charging device. As an alternative or in addition, it may be determined on, for example, a backend server whether the first charging device identifier matches the second charging device identifier. In such an example, the device passes the obtained first charging device identifier to the backend server, which compares the first charging device identifier with the second charging device identifier. For this purpose, the second charging device identifier is stored, for example, in an electronic memory of the backend server.

[0074] In an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the device further includes a storage device, wherein the storage device is configured to store a plurality of charging device identifiers including the second charging device identifier.

[0075] As described above, the second charging device identifier, for example, identifies a specific charging device for which separate billing of the electrical energy used to charge the battery of a vehicle is allowed. For example, the second charging device identifier may identify a private charging station of an employee of a company for which the employee is allowed to bill the company for the charging cost of the battery of the vehicle. Like the second charging device identifier, for example, each of the plurality of charging device identifiers may identify a corresponding charging device for which the employee is allowed to bill the company for the charging cost of the battery of the vehicle.

[0076] As part of determining whether the first charging device identifier matches the second charging device identifier, for example, the first charging device identifier may be compared with at least one (e.g., each) charging device identifier of the plurality of charging device identifiers. For example, the charging device identifiers of the plurality of charging device identifiers may be compared individually with the first charging device identifier to determine whether a specific charging device identifier matches the first charging device identifier. Such a comparison may, for example, indicate that a specific charging device identifier (as the second charging device identifier) of the plurality of charging device identifiers matches the first charging device identifier.

[0077] Advantageously, the plurality of charging device identifiers of the plurality of charging devices stored in the device enable the fact to be stored in the device that separate billing of the electrical energy used to charge the battery of a vehicle is allowed for charging processes using these charging devices.

[0078] In an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the device is at least a part of a charging cable for charging a power storage unit of a vehicle, or can be connected to a charging cable for charging a power storage unit of a vehicle.

[0079] The device according to the present disclosure can be connected, for example, to one or more cable segments (e.g., cable segments of a charging cable of an electric vehicle). In another example, the entire charging cable including one or more cable segments can be understood as the device according to the present disclosure. In a further example, the device according to the present disclosure can be understood as a single electronic component (e.g., installed in a corresponding housing) that is part of another device. It is also conceivable to integrate the device according to the present disclosure into a charging cable of an electric vehicle such that it cannot be recognized as a device, for example, from the appearance.

[0080] The present disclosure further discloses a system, wherein such a system at least includes the device according to the present disclosure. The system can further include, for example, a charging device, a vehicle, a backend server, and / or a charging cable.

[0081] The above exemplary embodiments and exemplary configurations of the present disclosure should also be understood as being disclosed in all combinations with each other. Specifically, the disclosure of method steps is also considered as the disclosure of the device for performing the corresponding method steps. Similarly, the disclosure of the device for performing method steps is also considered as the disclosure of the method steps themselves.

[0082] More advantageous exemplary configurations of the present disclosure can be derived from the following detailed description of some exemplary embodiments, especially in combination with the drawings. However, the drawings are only for illustration and not for determining the scope of protection of the claims. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are merely intended to reflect the general concept of the present disclosure by way of example. Specifically, the features included in the drawings should in no way be regarded as an essential part of the present invention. Description of the Drawings

[0083] In the drawings:

[0084] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing an exemplary environment in which the device according to the present disclosure can be used is shown;

[0085] Figure 2 A flowchart showing an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure is shown;

[0086] Figure 3 A flowchart showing another exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure is shown;

[0087] Figure 4 A flowchart showing another exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure is shown;

[0088] Figure 5 Shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the present disclosure; and

[0089] Figure 6 Shows an exemplary embodiment of a storage medium. Detailed Description

[0090] Figure 1 Shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary environment 100 that can use the device 150 according to the present disclosure.

[0091] Figure 1 Shows a charging device 110 connected to a vehicle 120 via a charging cable 160. The charging cable 160 is composed of cable segments 140a and 140b, for example, which connect the device 150 to the charging device 110 and the vehicle 120. Figure 1 Also shown is a backend server 130, which can exchange information with the device 150 via a communication path 170 (for example, through a mobile radio network).

[0092] The device 150 should be understood by way of example as a device according to the present disclosure, where, as shown in the figure, the device 150 can be connected to two cable segments 140a, 140b. In another example, the entire charging cable 160 including the cable segments 140a, 140b and the device 150 can be understood as a device according to the present disclosure. In a further example, the device according to the present disclosure can be only a part of the device 150 (for example, a single electronic component, such as Figure 5 schematically shown as the device 50). It is also conceivable to integrate the device 150 into the charging cable 160, such that, different from Figure 1 shown by way of example herein, it cannot be recognized from the appearance that it is a device.

[0093] The charging device 110 is shown by way of example as a charging station that provides electrical energy to charge the battery of an electric vehicle. The charging device 110 can be understood as a private charging station designed for private use and installed on a wall (for example, a wall box or a power socket, such as a high-voltage power socket). In other examples, the charging device 110 can be a public charging station (for example, a fast charging station).

[0094] The electrical energy provided by the charging device 110 is transmitted to the vehicle 120 via the charging cable 160. The vehicle 120 is shown by way of example as an electric vehicle with an electric drive, where the drive electrical energy is provided by one or more batteries of the vehicle 120. The charging cable 160 can accordingly be used to transmit electrical energy to the vehicle 120 in order to charge one or more batteries of the vehicle 120.

[0095] The backend server 130 is, for example, a management server at which billing information regarding a plurality of charging processes of a plurality of electric vehicles is obtained and managed. As Figure 1 As shown by way of example, there is a communication connection 170 between the device 150 and the backend server 130, and the device 150 can transmit the billing information to the backend server 130 via this communication connection.

[0096] The communication connection 170 is, for example, at least partially formed as a wireless communication connection and in this case is provided via a mobile radio network. In particular, the communication connection 170 uses the mobile radio infrastructure (e.g., one or more base stations) of the mobile radio network to transmit information from the device 150 to the backend server 130 according to a mobile radio standard (e.g., 3G, 4G, or 5G mobile radio standard). In another example, the communication connection 170 between the device 150 and the backend server 130 can also be a fully wired communication connection that first transmits information from the device 150 to the charging device 110 and then from the charging device 110 to the backend server 130 (e.g., via a wired Internet cable between the backend server 130 and the building where the charging device 110 is located).

[0097] For the environment 100 shown by way of example, it can be assumed that the charging device 110 is a private charging station, which is, for example, installed at the residence of an employee of a company. In addition, the vehicle 120 can also be the electric vehicle of this employee (e.g., the vehicle 120 is a company vehicle), where the employee is allowed to bill the company for the cost of charging the battery of this vehicle 120 (and, for example, not other vehicles) through the private charging station 110. Thus, for example, for the charging process of this vehicle 120 at the charging device 110 (and, for example, not for the charging processes of other vehicles), the billing information indicating the electrical energy transferred during the charging process is intended to be conveyed to the backend server 130. By way of example, in this case, the backend server 130 is operated by the company.

[0098] Figure 2 A flowchart showing an exemplary embodiment of a method 200 according to the present disclosure is presented. The following refers to Figure 1 The method steps 210, 220, and 230 are described by way of example with reference to the environment 100 shown. Here, it is assumed by way of example that the method steps 210, 220, and 230 are performed by the device 150.

[0099] Step 210 includes obtaining charging information, where the charging information indicates the electrical energy transferred from the charging device to the vehicle.

[0100] For example, in step 210, device 150 obtains charging information from an electricity meter that is part of device 150 or connected to device 150. Such an electricity meter is configured to detect (e.g., measure) the electrical energy transferred from the charging device 110 to the vehicle 120 via the charging cable 160. For example, the electrical energy can be the electrical energy transferred from the charging device 110 to the vehicle 120 during a certain charging process. In step 210, the electricity meter determines the charging information based on, for example, the detected electrical energy and transfers the charging information to device 150.

[0101] The charging information obtained in step 210 should be understood as electronically encoded information that indicates the electrical energy measured by the electricity meter and thus indicates the electrical energy transferred from the charging device 110 to the vehicle 120. In this case, the charging information can indicate the electrical energy, for example, as a numerical value with a physical unit (e.g., kWh).

[0102] Step 220 includes obtaining a first vehicle identifier that identifies the vehicle.

[0103] For example, in step 220, device 150 obtains a first vehicle identifier from the vehicle 120, where the first vehicle identifier identifies the vehicle 120. In this case, the first vehicle identifier is particularly transferred to device 150 via the cable segment 140a of the charging cable 160. For example, the transfer can be carried out according to the ISO 15118 protocol, where the first vehicle identifier can be an "Electric Vehicle Identifier (EVID)". The vehicle identifier obtained in step 220 should be understood as electronically encoded information based on which the vehicle 120 can be clearly identified.

[0104] Step 230 includes providing billing information when it is determined that the first vehicle identifier matches a second vehicle identifier, where the billing information at least represents the electrical energy transferred to the vehicle.

[0105] For example, device 150 determines whether the first vehicle identifier obtained from the vehicle 120 in step 220 matches a second vehicle identifier stored in the electronic memory of device 150. Such a match exists when the first vehicle identifier is the same as the second vehicle identifier or when the first vehicle identifier and the second vehicle identifier identify the same vehicle 120. If the first vehicle identifier matches the second vehicle identifier, device 150 provides billing information, where the billing information at least represents the electrical energy transferred from the charging device 110 to the vehicle 120.

[0106] As an alternative or additionally, it can be determined on the backend server 130 whether the first vehicle identifier matches the second vehicle identifier. In this case, as part of step 230, the device 150, for example, passes the first vehicle identifier obtained in step 220 to the backend server 130, which compares the first vehicle identifier with the second vehicle identifier. For this purpose, the second vehicle identifier is stored, for example, in the electronic memory of the backend server 130.

[0107] For example, the second vehicle identifier identifies a specific vehicle 120 for which separate billing of the electrical energy used to charge the battery of the vehicle is allowed. According to the above description of Figure 1 the second vehicle identifier can, for example, identify a specific vehicle 120 of an employee of a company for which the employee is allowed to bill the company for the charging cost of the battery of the vehicle 120.

[0108] Providing the billing information in step 230 includes, for example, determining (e.g., electronically generating) the billing information at least partly based on the charging information obtained in step 210. Accordingly, the billing information represents at least the electrical energy transferred from the charging device 110 to the vehicle 120 and indicated by the charging information obtained in step 210. For this purpose, the billing information can, for example, indicate the electrical energy as a numerical value with a physical unit (e.g., kWh). In a further example, the billing information can indicate an amount of cost (e.g., in euros) reflecting the energy cost of the transferred electrical energy (e.g., the electricity cost according to a specific electricity price). The billing information provided in step 230 can include further information or parameters, such as the vehicle identifier obtained in step 210 or other parameters related to the charging process between the charging device 110 and the vehicle 120.

[0109] Providing the billing information in step 230 includes, for example, passing the billing information to the backend server 130 via the communication connection 170, where the billing information is further processed (e.g., for reimbursing the energy cost). For this purpose, the communication means (e.g., a mobile radio interface) of the device 150 can be used in step 230.

[0110] If it is determined in step 230 that the first vehicle identifier does not match the second vehicle identifier, no billing information is provided. For example, in this case, the billing information cannot even be determined in the first place. In particular, no billing information is transmitted to the backend server 130. Then, for example, even if the charging device 110 can still be used to charge the battery of the vehicle 120, the energy cost of the transferred electrical energy indicated by the charging information is billed in a different way. In particular, the energy cost is not billed to the employee's company.

[0111] Advantageously, steps 210 to 230 performed by device 150 enable, for example, limiting the billing of the electricity cost for charging vehicle 120 to cases where vehicle 120 actually also permits such billing. In such a case, device 150 communicates with the company's backend server 130 in order to bill the company for the electricity cost. Otherwise, no communication is made with backend server 130 and no corresponding billing is performed, but advantageously, charging cable 160 can still be used to charge vehicle 120.

[0112] For example, identifying vehicle 120 can prevent fraud, i.e., company employees attempting to also bill the company for the electricity cost of charging other vehicles, where the electricity cost of other vehicles is not permitted to be billed to the company. Specifically, the identification is correspondingly based on the vehicle rather than, for example, based on the user.

[0113] Device 150 advantageously allows vehicle identification for billing purposes, regardless of whether charging device 110 technically supports vehicle identification. For example, charging device 110 is a private charging station (such as an AC charging station or, for example, a power outlet), which does not support vehicle identification for technical reasons, because, for example, it does not support or does not fully support the corresponding communication protocol for communication between charging station 110 and vehicle 120 (for example, the ISO 15118 protocol). The described use of device 150 can advantageously enable identification of vehicle 120 and targeted billing, regardless of the corresponding technical design of charging device 110.

[0114] Figure 3 A flowchart showing an exemplary embodiment of method 300 according to the present disclosure is presented. The following refers to Figure 1 The illustrated environment 100 describes method steps 310, 320, and 330 by way of example. Here, it is assumed by way of example that method steps 310, 320, and 330 are performed by device 150.

[0115] Step 310 includes obtaining location information, where the location information indicates the location of the device.

[0116] For example, in step 310, device 150 obtains location information from a location sensor that is part of device 150 or connected to device 150. Such a location sensor can be a GPS sensor, which detects the current location of the location sensor and thus the current location of device 150 and determines location information based thereon, where the location information indicates the location of device 150 using, for example, multiple location coordinates.

[0117] Step 320 includes determining whether the location of the device is within a predetermined location range.

[0118] For example, the device 150 determines whether the location of the device 150 indicated by the location information obtained in step 310 is within a predetermined location range. To this end, the electronic memory of the device 150 may store location coordinates reflecting the predetermined location range (e.g., a geographical area). In step 320, the location coordinates reflecting the predetermined range are then compared with the location coordinates of the location information obtained in step 310.

[0119] As an alternative or in addition, it may be determined on the backend server 130 whether the location of the device is within a predetermined location range. In this case, as part of step 320, the device 150, for example, transfers the location information obtained in step 310 to the backend server 130, which compares the location information with the predetermined location range. To this end, the location coordinates reflecting the predetermined location range are stored in the electronic memory of, for example, the backend server 130.

[0120] Step 330 includes providing billing information when it is additionally determined that the location of the device is within a predetermined location range.

[0121] For example, according to step 330, billing information is provided when (e.g., only when) the first vehicle identifier matches the second vehicle identifier and when the location of the device 150 is additionally within a predetermined location range, as Figure 2 described in step 230 of. It is also conceivable to combine these two conditions to provide further conditions.

[0122] The predetermined location range can in particular be understood as a geographical area that allows for the billing of energy costs for charging the vehicle 120. Steps 310 to 330 advantageously provide, for example, further security features to prevent fraud cases involving unauthorized billing of electricity costs for charging electric vehicles to a company.

[0123] Figure 4 A flowchart showing an exemplary embodiment of a method 400 according to the present disclosure is shown. The method steps 410 and 420 are described below by way of example with reference to Figure 1 the environment 100 shown. Here, it is assumed by way of example that the method steps 410 and 420 are performed by the device 150.

[0124] Step 410 includes obtaining a first charging device identifier identifying a charging device.

[0125] For example, in step 410, the device 150 obtains a first charging device identifier from the charging device 110, where the first charging device identifier identifies the charging device 110. In this case, the first charging device identifier is specifically transferred from the charging device 110 to the device 150 via the cable segment 140b of the charging cable 160. For example, the transfer can be performed according to the ISO 15118 protocol, where the first charging device identifier can be a "Charging Point Identifier (CPID)". However, the transfer of the charging device identifier in step 410 is independent of a specific protocol, which means that for example the charging device 110 does not need to support the ISO 15118 protocol.

[0126] Step 420 includes providing billing information when it is additionally determined that the first charging device identifier matches the second charging device identifier.

[0127] For example, according to step 420, when (e.g., only when) the first vehicle identifier matches the second vehicle identifier and when the first charging device identifier additionally matches the second charging device identifier, billing information is provided, as Figure 2 described in step 230 of

[0128] For example, the device 150 determines whether the first charging device identifier obtained from the charging device 110 in step 410 matches the second charging device identifier stored in the electronic memory of the device 150. For example, such a match exists when the first charging device identifier is the same as the second charging device identifier, or when the first charging device identifier and the second charging device identifier identify the same charging device. As an alternative or in addition, it can be determined on the backend server 130 whether the first charging device identifier matches the second charging device identifier. In this case, as part of step 420, the device 150 transfers, for example, the first charging device identifier obtained in step 410 to the backend server 130, which compares the first charging device identifier with the second charging device identifier. For this purpose, the second charging device identifier is stored, for example, in the electronic memory of the backend server 130.

[0129] For example, the second charging device identifier identifies a specific charging device for which separate billing of the electrical energy used to charge the vehicle's battery is allowed. According to the above description of Figure 1 the second charging device identifier can, for example, identify a private charging station of an employee of a company for which the employee is allowed to bill the company for the charging cost of the battery of a vehicle (e.g., vehicle 120).

[0130] Steps 410 and 420 advantageously provide further security features, for example, to prevent fraud situations involving unauthorized charging of electricity costs to the company for charging an electric vehicle.

[0131] Reference Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 , multiple conditions for providing billing information can also be combined. For example, there can thus be a combination of conditions from step 330 and step 420 such that: when (e.g., only when) i) the first vehicle identifier matches the second vehicle identifier, when ii) the location of device 150 is additionally within a predetermined location range, and when iii) the first charging device identifier additionally matches the second charging device identifier, billing information is provided in step 230.

[0132] Figure 5 FIG. shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the present disclosure. For example, device 50 can be understood as Figure 1 the device 150 shown. In another example, device 50 can be understood as a part of device 150.

[0133] For example, device 50 includes a processor 51. The processor should be understood to mean, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller unit, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). Obviously, device 50 can also include multiple processors 51.

[0134] Processor 51 executes program instructions stored in program memory 52 and stores intermediate results, etc. in main memory 53, for example. Program memory 52 contains, for example, program instructions of a computer program according to the present disclosure, the computer program including program instructions that cause processor 51 to execute and / or control a method according to the present disclosure (e.g., method 200 according to Figure 2 ) when processor 51 executes the program instructions stored in program memory 52.

[0135] Program memory 52 further contains, for example, an operating system of device 50, which is at least partially loaded into main memory 53 and executed by processor 51 when device 50 is started. Specifically, when device 50 is started, at least a part of the core of the operating system is loaded into main memory 53 and executed by processor 51.

[0136] An example of an operating system is the Windows, UNIX, Linux, Android, Apple iOS, and / or MAC OS operating system. Specifically, this operating system allows for data processing using device 50. It manages resources such as program memory 52 and main memory 53, and in particular provides basic functions for other computer programs through programming interfaces, etc., and controls the execution of computer programs.

[0137] For example, the program memory is non-volatile memory, such as flash memory, magnetic memory, EEPROM memory (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), and / or optical memory. For example, the main memory is volatile or non-volatile memory, particularly random access memory (RAM) such as static RAM memory (SRAM), dynamic RAM memory (DRAM), ferroelectric RAM memory (FeRAM), and / or magnetic RAM memory (MRAM).

[0138] Device 50 may additionally include a storage device 54, where the processor 51 is connected to the storage device 54, for example, such that device 50 can store electronic information in the storage device 54 or device 50 can obtain electronic information from the storage device 54. The storage device 54 may include, for example, electronic memory in which device 50 can store electronic information, such as one or more vehicle identifiers, billing information items, charging information items, charging device identifiers, and / or location information items. The storage device 54 may be understood, for example, as a separate electronic memory or may also be part of the program memory 52 or the main memory 53.

[0139] Device 50 may additionally include a communication device 55, where the processor 51 is connected to the communication device 55, for example, such that device 50 can send or receive electronic information via the communication device 55. For Figure 1 device 150 therein, the communication device 55 is configured to provide a communication connection 170, for example. The communication device 55 includes, for example, a radio interface for communicating according to a mobile radio standard (e.g., 3G, 4G, or 5G standard) or according to another wireless radio communication technology (e.g., Wi-Fi). As an alternative or in addition, the communication device includes an interface for communicating according to a wired technology (e.g., USB or Ethernet).

[0140] Device 50 may additionally include a measuring device 56, where the processor 51 is connected to the measuring device 56, for example, such that electronic information (such as charging information) can be determined by the measuring device 56 and then transmitted to device 50. The measuring device 56 includes, for example, an electricity meter. For Figure 1Device 150 therein, the electricity meter is configured to detect (e.g., measure) the electrical energy transmitted from the charging device 110 to the vehicle 120 via the charging cable 160. Such an electricity meter includes, for example, a plurality of electronic components, such as transducers, analog-to-digital converters, processors, and / or internal electronic memories.

[0141] Device 50 may additionally include a positioning device 57, wherein the processor 51 is connected to the positioning device 57, for example, such that electronic information (e.g., location information) can be determined by the positioning device 57 and then transmitted to the device 50. The positioning device includes, for example, one or more satellite positioning sensors (e.g., GPS sensors) to detect the position coordinates of the device 50 at a specific time. As an alternative or in addition, the positioning device 57 can determine the position of the device 50, for example, by radio triangulation (e.g., based on mobile radio signals received by the radio interface of the communication device 55).

[0142] Figure 6 An exemplary embodiment of a storage medium is shown, on which, for example, a computer program according to the present disclosure can be stored. The storage medium can be, for example, magnetic, electrical, optical, and / or other storage media. The storage medium can be, for example, part of a processor (e.g., Figure 5 processor 51 therein), for example, the (non-volatile or volatile) program memory of the processor or a part thereof (e.g., Figure 5 program memory 52 therein). Exemplary embodiments of the storage medium are flash memory 60, SSD hard disk 61, magnetic hard disk 62, memory card 63, memory stick 65 (e.g., USB stick), CD-ROM or DVD 65, or floppy disk 66.

[0143] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure described in this specification should also be understood to be disclosed in all combinations with each other. Specifically, in the current case, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, the description of features included in the embodiments should not be understood to mean that the feature is indispensable or important for the functions of the exemplary embodiments. The order of the method steps outlined in the various flowcharts in the present disclosure is not mandatory; alternative orders of the method steps can be envisaged - unless otherwise stated. These method steps can be implemented in different ways, and implementations using software (by program instructions), hardware, or a combination of both can be envisaged for implementing these method steps.

[0144] Terms used in the claims of a patent (such as "comprise", "have", "include", "contain") do not exclude further elements or steps. The term "at least in part" covers both the case of "in part" and the case of "fully". The term "and / or" shall be understood to mean that alternatives as well as combinations are intended to be disclosed, that is, "A and / or B" means "(A) or (B) or (A and B)". In the context of this specification, a plurality of units, persons, etc. means multiple units, persons, etc. The use of an indefinite article does not exclude a plurality. A single device may perform the functions of a plurality of units or devices mentioned in the claims of a patent. The reference signs indicated in the claims of a patent shall not be regarded as limiting the devices and steps used.

Claims

1. An apparatus (150; 50), comprising means (51; 52; 53), the means being configured to: - obtaining (210) charging information, wherein: The charging information indicates the electrical energy transferred from the charging device (110) to the vehicle (120); - obtaining (220) a first vehicle identifier identifying the vehicle (120); - when it is determined that the first vehicle identifier matches the second vehicle identifier, providing (230) billing information, wherein the billing information is indicative of at least the electrical energy delivered to the vehicle (120).

2. The device (150; 50) according to claim 1, wherein The means (51; 52; 53) of the apparatus (150; 50) are further configured to determine whether the first vehicle identifier matches the second vehicle identifier.

3. The device (150; 50) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The billing information further identifies the vehicle (120), wherein billing for electrical energy delivered to the vehicle (120) is performed at least in part based on the vehicle (120) identified by the billing information.

4. The device (150; 50) according to one of claims 1 and 3, further comprising a storage device (54), wherein: The storage device (54) is configured to store a plurality of vehicle identifiers including the second vehicle identifier.

5. The device (150; 50) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a communication device (55), wherein: The communication device (55) is configured to transmit the provided billing information to the backend server (130).

6. The device (150; 50) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a measuring device (56), wherein: The measuring device (56) is configured to detect electrical energy delivered to the vehicle (120) and determine the charging information.

7. The device (150; 50) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a connecting device (140a; 140b), wherein: The connection device (140a; 140b) is configured to connect the device (150; 50) to the vehicle (120) and to connect the device (150; 50) to the charging device (110).

8. The device (150; 50) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The device (51; 52; 53) is further configured to receive the first vehicle identifier from the vehicle (120).

9. The device (150; 50) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The apparatus (51; 52; 53) is further configured to - obtain (310) location information, wherein the location information indicates a location of the device (150; 50); - determining (320) whether the location of the device (150; 50) is within a predetermined location range; and - When it is additionally determined that the location of the device (150; 50) is within a predetermined location range, providing (330) the billing information.

10. The device (150; 50) according to claim 9, further comprising a positioning device (57), wherein The positioning device (57) is configured to detect the position of the device (150; 50) and determine the position information.

11. The device (150; 50) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The apparatus (51; 52; 53) is further configured to - obtain (410) a first charging device identifier identifying the charging device (110); and - When it is additionally determined that the first charging device identifier matches the second charging device identifier, providing (420) the billing information.

12. The device (150; 50) according to claim 11, wherein The means (51; 52; 53) of the device (150; 50) is further configured to determine whether the first charging device identifier matches the second charging device identifier.

13. The device (150; 50) according to one of claims 11 and 12, further comprising a storage device (54), wherein The storage device (54) is configured to store a plurality of charging device identifiers including the second charging device identifier.

14. The device (150; 50) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: The device (150; 50) is at least a part of a charging cable for charging an electric storage unit of the vehicle (120), or the device (150; 50) is connectable to a charging cable for charging an electric storage unit of the vehicle (120).

15. A method (200), comprising: - obtaining (210) charging information, wherein the charging information indicates electrical energy transferred from the charging device (110) to the vehicle (120); - obtaining (220) a first vehicle identifier identifying the vehicle (120); - when it is determined that the first vehicle identifier matches the second vehicle identifier, providing (230) billing information, wherein the billing information is indicative of at least the electrical energy delivered to the vehicle (120).

16. A computer program comprising instructions for causing a device (150; 50) to perform the method steps (210; 220; 230) according to claim 15.

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