Method, apparatus and server device for generating an identifier for a charging point

Abstract

As indicated above, the invention presents a possible way of generating a charging point identifier if the information read by the charging point is not sufficient to generate the charging point identifier. For the implementation of the invention, a method, an apparatus and a server device are therefore claimed for generating the charging point identifier needed to set up energy delivery from the scanned information at the charging station or the charging point.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Proceedings and to one one

[0004] The invention describes a method, a device and a server setup for generating an identifier for a charging point for charging an electric vehicle.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] To charge a vehicle with electrical energy at a charging point, the vehicle user must activate the charging process. This requires the user to identify themselves and the desired charging point. The charging station or charging column where the charging point is located typically displays an information or identifier, often called an "EVSE ID," which identifies the charging point for establishing a connection. This identifier can be a QR code, a barcode, or other textual information. It is also possible to retrieve the identification electronically or magnetically. The information or charging point ID can be easily captured by scanning the QR code or barcode. Of course, it is also possible to enter this identifier manually via text input.

[0007] However, since the charging point identifier is not standardized, the large number of charging station and charging point providers can lead to situations where a charging point identifier is not recognized or not uniquely identified, as operators use their own identifiers that cannot be matched by the recording device. This results in an error message for the user, preventing the charging process from being carried out, or at least delaying it.

[0008] The present invention therefore describes a solution that provides a remedy in the event of an incorrect assignment of the charging point identifier or the charging point identifier.

[0009] Disclosure of the invention

[0010] As explained above, the invention presents a method for generating a charging point identifier when the information read from the charging point is insufficient to generate this identifier. To implement the invention, a method, a device, and a server are claimed that generate the charging point identifier necessary for establishing energy delivery from the information acquired at the charging station or charging point.

[0011] The invention begins with the acquisition of charging point information at the corresponding charging station or charging column. This acquisition can be performed optically and / or electronically using an evaluation unit or a data acquisition device. For example, a QR code or barcode containing the charging point identification can be read using a camera or scanner. If the method or the evaluation unit provided for this purpose detects that the acquired charging point information does not contain a suitable or complete charging point identifier, the charging point information is forwarded for further processing. The same applies if the method or evaluation unit detects that a suitable charging point identifier cannot be derived from the acquired charging point information.The charging point information is sent to a server that has access to more information and the capability to extract the required charging point identifier from incomplete data. This server can be a central server facility to which numerous providers and operators of charging stations, charging columns, and / or charging points are connected. Alternatively, it can be a decentralized server that maintains its own database for identifying the charging point or can establish connections to other servers and databases containing or providing the required information. The process analyzes the charging point information and subsequently derives identification characteristics from the collected data. These characteristics can then be used to supplement or obtain the missing information needed to generate the charging point identifier.Subsequently, at least one charging point identifier is generated based on the identification characteristics or the additional data, information, and insights gathered using them. If the analysis of the charging point information and the addition of the necessary information do not allow for a unique charging point identifier, multiple charging point identifiers can be generated. These can then be assigned a weighting or probability, if necessary, and returned to the user or the evaluation unit.

[0012] Optionally, the evaluation unit itself can determine the missing information needed to generate the charging point identifier. To do this, the evaluation unit can execute the procedures that run on the server. Furthermore, the evaluation unit can establish a connection to other databases and servers to obtain the missing information and data required to generate the charging point identifier.

[0013] The advantage of the method according to the invention is to generate a charging point identifier from incomplete information at the charging point, with which the user can establish a charging connection and / or bill for the energy consumed.

[0014] The identification features can, for example, also point to another database from which additional data and information for deriving the charging point identifier are retrieved. In a specific case, this additional database may also be located outside the server or the evaluation unit. It may be specifically designed so that the database is selected based on the recognized identification features.

[0015] It is particularly advantageous if at least one is generated.

[0016] The charging point identifier is sent back to the detection device or evaluation unit so that it can be displayed to the vehicle user or made available for further processing. The detection device itself may also have a display for visualizing this charging point identifier. However, it is also conceivable that the detection device or evaluation unit forwards the charging point identifier to a separate display device.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, the method can acquire further information and data from the charging station, charging column, charging point, vehicle user, and / or user of the detection device in order to use this information in deriving the identification characteristics and / or generating the charging point identifier. For example, it is conceivable that the charging processes of the vehicle user and / or the charging point whose identifier is to be determined are recorded and taken into account when generating the charging point identifier. It can be provided that the charging processes are only recorded or taken into account within a predetermined period.

[0018] For example, it's conceivable that only charging processes within the last 7, 14, or 30 days are considered. Additionally, or optionally, environmental data surrounding the charging point can also be collected and used to generate the charging point identifier. For instance, geolocation data or even surrounding images can be used to identify the charging point and thus derive an identifier.

[0019] Starting with the generation of the charging point identifier, the process can also be used to enable or start the actual charging process at the charging point. Particularly when multiple charging point identifiers are possible, the user can be shown these options for selection. This way, the charging process can only be enabled once the (vehicle) user has confirmed or selected one of the displayed charging point identifiers.

[0020] The device for carrying out the process can, for example, be housed in a mobile device such as a smartphone. However, it is also conceivable that the device is located in the vehicle. Furthermore, it is conceivable that only the data acquisition device is located in a mobile device, with the evaluation taking place in the vehicle. The device can include an evaluation unit that checks the charging point information and, in the case of an incomplete or faulty charging point identifier, forwards this information to the server. Accordingly, the evaluation unit can receive the charging point identifier from the server and process it further. The sending and receiving of this information can be achieved, in particular, via wireless radio connections.

[0021] As explained above, the process can also partially run on a server. In this case, the server is configured in such a way that, when additional data and information are needed to generate the charging point information, it establishes corresponding data connections to other servers or databases. These data connections can be wireless.

[0022] Brief description of the drawings

[0023] Figure 1 schematically depicts a device for implementing the present invention. Figure 2 shows a further implementation in the form of a server setup. Figure 3 illustrates the inventive method as a flowchart.

[0024] Embodiments of the invention

[0025] As mentioned earlier, when identifying a charging point, the information provided at that charging point or charging station may be insufficient to derive or generate a charging point identifier, the so-called EVSE ID. Since this identifier is crucial for initiating a charging process at that charging point, it is essential that such identification is carried out.

[0026] According to the present invention, a method is presented which enables the assignment of a charging point identifier even if the charging point information is faulty or insufficient. A corresponding method according to the invention can be implemented in a device such as the one schematically depicted in Figure 1 in the form of a block diagram. A central evaluation unit 100 with a memory 110 acquires optical and / or electronic charging point information via a detection means 120, for example, a camera of a smartphone or other mobile device. The charging point information can be in the form of a scannable QR code or a barcode. If the evaluation unit 100 detects that a charging point identifier cannot be derived from this charging point information, it sends this information to a server or a backend for further processing.The recorded charging point information is analyzed to derive identification characteristics from the available data. These characteristics can then be used to complete or even generate the charging point identifier. After successful generation of the charging point identifier, it is sent back to the evaluation unit 100 and displayed to the (vehicle) user on an output device 160. If the assignment of the charging point identifier is ambiguous, multiple charging point identifiers can be returned and displayed to the user. The user can then make a selection, which is processed by the evaluation unit 100. Based on the charging point identifier or the user's selection, the evaluation unit 100 can also start or enable the charging process at charging point 180.

[0027] Optionally, additional information can be collected to facilitate or even enable the generation of the charging point identifier by the evaluation unit 100 or the server 150. This includes environmental data, environmental dimensions, environmental parameters, and / or geolocations, which can be used to specify the charging point and thus generate its identifier. The charging station or charging point can also be identified based on the charging behavior of the driver, the vehicle, or at the charging point itself. For this purpose, relevant data from the vehicle or the charging point / charging station 140 is collected by the evaluation unit 100 and forwarded to the server 150. The charging behavior history at this charging point can then be queried from the server for analysis.

[0028] A possible server solution is shown in Figure 2. Starting from the evaluation unit 100, or more generally, a data acquisition unit, the server or backend receives all the necessary information to generate the charging point identifier. If necessary, the server 150 can connect to other data sources, such as servers or databases 170 and 175, to obtain additional information. It is also intended that the server 150 filters out the identification characteristics from the analysis of the charging point information in order to find indications for selecting the required servers or databases.

[0029] Figure 3 describes a possible embodiment of the method according to the invention. In a first step 200, information about the charging point is acquired, for example, by means of an evaluation unit or a detection device. This can be, for example, a QR code or a barcode that is directly attached to the charging point or the charging station. If, in the next step 210, the method recognizes that all the data necessary to derive a charging point identifier is already available from this charging point information, the method is terminated. Alternatively, the charging point information can be output in a further step 290 or used for further control processes, such as enabling the charging process.

[0030] However, if step 210 reveals that the collected charging point information is insufficient to generate a suitable (unique) charging point identifier, the next step, 230, sends the charging point information to a server, which then generates the identifier from the available information. A suitable charging point identifier can result from incomplete information in the collected charging point data for assigning it to a (unique) charging point. Furthermore, incomplete collection of charging point information can be the starting point for continuing the process according to step 230. Additionally, it may be possible for the charging point information to contain details that cannot be assigned to any charging point.Even if the charging point information refers, at least partially, to another source of information, for example via an (Internet) link, to enable unambiguous assignment to the charging point, this can be a reason for branching to step 230. The derivation or generation of the charging point identifier is then provided for in the next step 240. The procedures to be carried out here can range from simply replacing incorrect characters to initiating a query in further databases in a further step 250. Based on the data and information thus obtained, the charging point identifier for this charging point is then generated in step 260 and subsequently sent back to the sending device or the evaluation unit in step 270.If a unique charging point identification was not possible and there are multiple potential charging point identifiers, these different identifiers can also be forwarded, optionally with a probability of success or a weighting. If no identifier could be determined, an error message can also be transmitted.

[0031] As explained above in step 240, the procedure for generating the charging point identification in step 260 can be carried out in various ways. For example, an analysis of the charging point information can be performed to generate identification features that can be used to create the complete identifier. Alternatively, with additional information, particularly from the charging point operator, the charging point identifier can be directly derived from the charging point information. This might be the case, for instance, if the charging station operator uses their own coding system that is available to or accessible from the server, such as in the form of a database.

[0032] Furthermore, the complete identifier can be supplemented if a sufficiently large portion can be extracted from the charge point information. This includes, for example, character substitutions to standardize the identifier. It is also possible for the server to access the operator's website encoded in the charge point information to obtain further information for generating the identifier. Generally, the necessary permissions to access or retrieve the required information can be stored on the server in advance or requested and granted individually during the query. Text mining tools can also be used to analyze the charge point information. This can include similarity searches of texts in the databases.

[0033] In a further embodiment of the invention, the method can capture the geoposition of the charging point and / or the vehicle or the user in step 220. Using this geoposition, the charging point identifier can then also be determined or generated in step 260. If necessary, the geoposition can also support information acquired elsewhere. Similar information can also be derived from other environmental data, which can likewise be captured in step 220.

[0034] The charging point identifier can also be derived from previous charging processes. In step 220, the charging behavior at the charging point and / or of the vehicle or vehicle user can be recorded and incorporated into the generation of the charging point identifier in step 260. Filters can be applied both when recording the charging processes and when deriving the identifier, for example, a time restriction or a restriction to specific users. By comparing this data with previous charging processes, the charging point identifier can be identified and assigned.

[0035] If, during the generation of the charging point identifier, a unique derivation is not possible, but instead two or more potential charging point identifiers are determined, these can also be transmitted to the user in step 270, so that in a further step 280 they can make a selection on site or confirm one of the identifiers. This confirmation can then be reported back to the evaluation unit.

[0036] Optionally, step 290 may include the provision that, in addition to simply outputting the charging point identifier, the generation of the identifier also includes enabling the charging activity of the charging point.

Claims

1. Method for generating a charging point identifier for charging an electric vehicle, wherein the method for generating a charging point identifier • optical and / or electronic charging point information is recorded by means of an evaluation unit (100) (200), and • checks whether a particularly suitable or complete charging point identifier can be generated from the charging point information (210), • sends the charging point information to a particularly central server (150) (230) if no charging point identification can be derived from the charging point information, • Identification features derived from the charging point information (240), and • at least one charging point identifier is completed or generated depending on the identification features (260).

2. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that incorrect characters in the charging point identification are replaced to generate the charging point identifier.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the method • additional data depending on the identification characteristics from at least one database (250), and • which generates at least one charging point identifier depending on the identification features and the additional data (260), wherein in particular it is provided that the method for recording the additional data establishes a data connection with at least one external database (170, 175) located outside the server (150).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method • depending on the identification characteristics, a data connection to a first or a second external database (170, 175) is established to capture the additional data.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method • which sends at least one charging point identifier from the server (150) to the recording device (170), and • the recording device (120) initiates the output of at least one charging point identifier.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method • Charging processes of the vehicle user and / or the charging point are recorded (220) and • which generates at least one additional charging point identifier depending on the recorded charging processes (260), in particular providing that the charging processes are recorded in a predetermined period or taken into account during generation.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method • Environmental data (220), in particular a geolocation, recorded for the charging point and • which generates at least one additional charging point identifier depending on the captured environmental data (260).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method • depending on the charging point detection, enables the vehicle to be charged with electrical energy, whereby it is specifically intended that the procedure • displays at least two charging point identifiers on a display device (160), and • depending on the user's selection from one of at least two charging point identifiers, enables charging of the vehicle with electrical energy 9. Device for generating a charging point identifier of a charging point for charging an electric vehicle, wherein the device has an evaluation unit (100) which performs a method according to one of claims 1 to 8, and • optical and / or electronic charging point information is recorded, and • checks whether a charging point identifier can be generated from the charging point information, and • depending on the test, sends the charging point information to a server, especially a central one, and • receives at least one charging point identifier from the server, especially wirelessly.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the evaluation unit (100) • depending on the charging point detection, enables the vehicle to be charged with electrical energy, whereby it is specifically intended that the evaluation unit • displays at least two charging point identifiers on one display device (!60), and • depending on the user's selection from one of at least two charging point identifiers, enables the vehicle to be charged with electrical energy.

11. Server equipment (150) for generating a charging point identifier of a charging point for charging an electric vehicle, wherein the server equipment • Receives charging point information from a charging point, in particular wirelessly and / or from a device according to claim 9 or 10, and • Derives identification features from the charging point information, and • at least one charging point identifier is generated depending on the identification characteristics, and • transmits at least one generated charging point identifier, in particular wirelessly and / or to the device according to claim 9 or 10.

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