Reservation of charging point for electric truck

Abstract

A method for reserving a charging point (160) of a charging station (150) for an electric truck (120), the method, performed by a control system (100), comprises: receiving (210) data descriptive of the service slot of the electric truck (120) in the logistics hub (120); determining (220) if a charging point (160) is available prior to the service slot allocated to the electric truck (120); and generating (230), in response to a detection that the charging point (160) is available prior to the service slot allocated to the electric truck (120), a control signal causing a reservation of the charging point (160) for the electric truck (120). Also a control system (100) and a computer program are provided.

Description

[0001] RESERVATION OF CHARGING POINT FOR ELECTRIC TRUCK

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention concerns in general the technical field of electric trucks. More particularly, the invention concerns a solution to coordinate a charging of electric trucks.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Electric trucks require regular charging in order to keep the electric trucks operative. For this purpose a network of charging fields is established wherein the charging fields comprise a number of charging stations to interact with the electric trucks to charge them. The charging of the electric trucks is something that needs to be scheduled by the driver of the electric truck in order to make the travel with the electric truck smooth and efficient.

[0006] On the other hand, in various contexts the electric trucks are subject to wait a completion of service of others. Such contexts may occur e.g. in harbors, airports and logistic hubs in general. Consider e.g. electric trucks waiting for their slot to get loaded / unloaded in a logistic hub or in a harbor waiting for their turn to drive to the ship. The management of the operations in the mentioned locations aka. terminals may be based on a utilization of a terminal operating system (TOS) or similar management software into which the electric trucks are communicatively connected to, e.g. through the driver digital workspace in the electric trucks and / or through a terminal device of a user of the electric truck. The terminal operating system is arranged to manage many issues and operations of the terminal wherein a management of queuing of the electric trucks is one core operation. For example, the terminal operating system may be configured to generate information messages to electric trucks and other vehicles residing in a queuing area and waiting for their service slot in the terminal. The information messages may e.g. provide updates on the situation to the users thus making them prepared for their service slots well in advance.

[0007] Generally speaking the logistics hubs, like harbors, airports etc., have limited space for queuing trucks, and for this reason trucks are preferred to arrive very precisely timed to the loading / unloading. However, there can be situations, wherein truck either arrives too early for their slot or there has been delays in the slot handling of previous trucks and thus schedule for the future slots gets postponed. In such situation, there might not be sufficient time to notify the truck company, or truck, about the delay anymore as the truck is already on the way and the truck arrives too early and needs to wait more. Such a situation can create traffic and lack of space within the limited space of the logistics hub area which can be detrimental for the fluent operation of the logistics hub.

[0008] By introducing novel approaches of optimization between various operations the electric trucks may be served in a more comprehensive way and in that manner to maintain optimal logistics performance.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide basic understanding of some aspects of various invention embodiments. The summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is neither intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention nor to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of exemplifying embodiments of the invention.

[0011] An object of the invention is to present a method, a control system and a computer program for reserving a charging point of a charging station for an electric truck.

[0012] The objects of the invention are reached by a method, a control system and a computer program for reserving a charging point of a charging station for an electric truck as defined by the respective independent claims. According to a first aspect, a method for reserving a charging point of a charging station for an electric truck is provided, the electric truck being allocated with a service slot by a logistics system managing service slots in a logistics hub, the method, performed by a control system, comprises: receiving data descriptive of the service slot of the electric truck in the logistics hub from the logistics system, the data at least defining an estimated instant of service in the logistics hub, determining, based on the estimated instant of service in the logistics hub, if a charging point is available prior to the service slot allocated to the electric truck, generating, in response to a detection that the charging point is available prior to the service slot allocated to the electric truck, a control signal causing a reservation of the charging point for the electric truck.

[0013] The data descriptive of the service slot of the electric truck may be received in response to an inquiry of the data with an identifier of the electric truck. For example, the identifier of the electric truck may be received from at least one of the following: a detection system of the logistics hub; a user interface of the logistics hub.

[0014] Furthermore, the method may comprise: generating, in response to a generation of the control signal causing the reservation of the charging point, a signal comprising data relating to the reservation of the charging point to an output device of the logistics hub.

[0015] For example, the data relating to the reservation of the charging point may comprise one or more instructions to reach the charging point reserved for the electric truck.

[0016] Still further, the data relating to the reservation of the charging point may comprise a code for activating a charging by the charging point reserved for the electric truck. A determination if the charging point is available prior to the service slot allocated to the electric truck may be performed from a pool of charging points. The charging point may e.g. be selected, as a result of the determination, by maximizing an amount of charging of the electric truck in a time window by taking into account a travel time from a position of the electric truck to the charging point and from the charging point to the logistics hub to meet the service slot in the logistics hub.

[0017] The method may further comprise: generating a request for an acceptance of the reservation of the charging point determined to be available from an operator of the electric truck prior to generating the control signal causing the reservation of the charging point for the electric truck.

[0018] The inquiry may be generated at least to one of the following: the user interface of the logistics hub, a terminal device of the operator of the electric truck.

[0019] According to a second aspect, a control system for reserving a charging point of a charging station for an electric truck is provided, the electric truck being allocated with a service slot by a logistics system managing service slots in a logistics hub, the control system is configured to: receive data descriptive of the service slot of the electric truck in the logistics hub from the logistics system, the data at least defining an estimated instant of service in the logistics hub, determine, based on the estimated instant of service in the logistics hub, if a charging point is available prior to the service slot allocated to the electric truck (120), generate, in response to a detection that the charging point is available prior to the service slot allocated to the electric truck, a control signal causing a reservation of the charging point for the electric truck. The control system may be configured to receive the data descriptive of the service slot of the electric truck in response to an inquiry of the data with an identifier of the electric truck. For example, the control system may be configured to receive the identifier of the electric truck from at least one of the following: a detection system of the logistics hub; a user interface of the logistics hub.

[0020] Further, the control system may be configured to: generate, in response to a generation of the control signal causing the reservation of the charging point, a signal comprising data relating to the reservation of the charging point to an output device of the logistics hub.

[0021] The data relating to the reservation of the charging point may comprise one or more instructions to reach the charging point reserved for the electric truck.

[0022] For example, the data relating to the reservation of the charging point may comprise a code for activating a charging by the charging point reserved for the electric truck.

[0023] Moreover, the control system may be configured to perform a determination if the charging point is available prior to the service slot allocated to the electric truck from a pool of charging points. The control system may be configured to select the charging point, as a result of the determination, by maximizing an amount of charging of the electric truck in a time window by taking into account a travel time from a position of the electric truck to the charging point and from the charging point to the logistics hub to meet the service slot in the logistics hub.

[0024] The control system may further be configured to: generate a request for an acceptance of the reservation of the charging point determined to be available from an operator of the electric truck prior to generating the control signal causing the reservation of the charging point for the electric truck. For example, the control system may be configured to generate the inquiry at least to one of the following: the user interface of the logistics hub, a terminal device of the operator of the electric truck.

[0025] According to a third aspect, a computer program comprising instructions to cause the control system according to the second aspect as defined above to execute the steps of the method according to the first aspect as defined above.

[0026] The expression "a number of” refers herein to any positive integer starting from one, e.g. to one, two, or three.

[0027] The expression "a plurality of” refers herein to any positive integer starting from two, e.g. to two, three, or four.

[0028] Various exemplifying and non-limiting embodiments of the invention both as to constructions and to methods of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific exemplifying and non-limiting embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0029] The verbs “to comprise” and “to include” are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of unrecited features. The features recited in dependent claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the use of “a” or “an”, i.e. a singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.

[0030] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0031] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 illustrates schematically an environment of the invention according to an example.

[0033] Figure 2 illustrates schematically a method according to an example.

[0034] Figure 3 illustrates schematically a control system according to an example. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLIFYING EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The specific examples provided in the description given below should not be construed as limiting the scope and / or the applicability of the appended claims. Lists and groups of examples provided in the description given below are not exhaustive unless otherwise explicitly stated.

[0036] Figure 1 illustrates schematically an environment the invention may be implemented to. The environment comprises a logistics hub 1 10, aka. a logistics centre or logistics terminal (e.g. ports), wherein operations like product transportation, storage and distribution are performed. The transportation is performed with electric trucks 120 which are loaded and unloaded in the logistics hub 110. Due to a nature of the logistics hub 110 there is a limited number of platforms in which the loading / unloading of the electric trucks 120 occur. Due to this among other reasons, such as cargo not yet available for loading at a designated platform, the electric trucks 120 may need to wait their turn to drive to the platform for loading / unloading. The logistics hub 110 may be provided with a specific waiting area, as shown in Figure 1 , wherein the electric trucks 120 may wait for their turn to get service in the logistics hub 110.

[0037] In the logistics hubs 110 the operations are managed with a logistics system 130 wherein at least a scheduling of operations is managed. The logistics system 130 typically receives input from various sources in the logistics hub 110 based on which it may update the scheduling information. The scheduling herein at least refers to operations that define instants of time of service of the electric trucks 120 in the logistics hub 110.

[0038] In accordance with at least some embodiments the logistics hub 110 also comprises at least one output device 125, such as a display device, a loudspeaker or a corresponding information output device, residing in the logistics hub 110 or at least in a vicinity of it. According to an embodiment the output device 125 may reside near an electric truck 120 entry area of the logistics hub area or similar location wherein the output data can be received prior to having driven the electric truck 120 into the logistics hub 110 area. Such an approach helps to allow only those electric trucks 120 into the logistics hub 110 area which will be served within a predefined time frame in order to keep the logistics hub 110 area as empty as possible. The one or more output devices 125 are controllable by the logistics system 130 to output information defined by the logistics system 130 as is described in the forthcoming description. The information may be expressed as images, such as directional control information, or textual information or any combination of these with or without audio information, for example. At least some of the output devices 125 may be implemented with a touch screen technology enabling also input of information to the logistics system 130. Further, at least some of the output devices 125 may be provided with other input devices, such as keyboard(s) or button(s), camera(s), reader device(s) and so on. The one or more output devices 125 are communicatively connected at least to the logistics system 130 in order to convey data between the entities in a manner as is described in the forthcoming description.

[0039] Furthermore, the logistics hub 110 may comprise a detection system 135 comprising one or more devices suitable for generating data descriptive of occurrences, cf. events, in the logistics hub 110. For example, the detection system 135 may e.g. comprise a number of image capturing devices, such as cameras, positioned in the logistics hub 110 based on which an analysis of the captured image data may be performed e.g. by the controllers of the detection system 130, or by the logistics system 130. According to an embodiment, at least part of the detection system 130, such as an image capturing device, may be positioned in such way that it can detect arriving electric trucks 120 prior to their entry to the area of the logistics hub 110. Still further, the logistics hub 110 may comprise a number of user interfaces 140, such as reader devices, touch screens, keyboards and buttons, and any similar devices in order to enable users to input data to the logistics hub 110. In some cases, the user interface(s) 140 may be associated together with the output devices 125 as already mentioned above. For avoidance of doubt, it is worthwhile to mention that the entities, such as the detection system 130 and the user interface(s) 140 are advantageously communicatively connected, either directly or indirectly, to the logistics system 130 in order to share data between the entities. The communication channel to and from the logistics system 130 with respect to any of the mentioned entities may be implemented with wireless or wired communication technology, or any combination of these.

[0040] Moreover, the logistics system 130 may be configured to communicate with a terminal device, such as a mobile phone or a tablet, of an operator of the electric truck 120 to provide information with respect to the service in the logistics hub 110, such as data defining an instant of time of loading / unloading of the electric truck 120 in question. The terminal device of the operator of the electric truck 120 may refer to an on-board device, such as a digital workspace system of the electric truck 120 or it may refer to a mobile terminal device of the operator. The terminal device is communicatively connected to the logistics system 130 either directly or indirectly in order to receive information from the system 130. Naturally, the communication may be bi-directional i.e. the operator may also provide input towards the logistics system 130. In accordance with at least some embodiments, the logistics hub 110 may be covered with an applicable communication network, such as a Wi-Fi network, into which the terminal device of the operator may connect when the electric truck 120 arrives in the coverage area of the communication network in the logistics hub 110. Hence, the terminal device of the electric truck 120 may be consider as an output device of the logistics hub 110 but also as a user interface, e.g. as an input device, at least on a temporal basis e.g. when used to output data received from the logistics system 130 as well as to receive input from the operator of the electric truck 120.

[0041] On the other hand, there is one or more charging stations 150 (also known as charging location) in a distance from the logistics hub 110. The charging station 150 may comprise a number of charging points 160 (CP1 , CP2, CP3) which provide charging services at least to the electric trucks 120. The charging station 150 comprises a controller 170 that is communicatively connected to the charging points 160, but also to other entities, such as payment services and the like (not shown in Figure 1 ). The controller 170 may thus receive data in relation to charging sessions from the charging points 160 as well as control their operation. For avoidance of doubt it is worthwhile to mention that the controller 170 may be common to all charging points 160 or each charging point 160 may be provided with its own controller 170. Any combination of these to is also possible. In any case, the controller 170 is at least configured to generate data indicative of a status of the at least one charging point 160 wherein the status data at least refers to a definition if the charging point 160 is in use or available.

[0042] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention a control system 100 is arranged in a communicative connection with the logistics system 130 and the controller 170 of the charging point(s) 160. Naturally, a functionality of the control system 100 may be implemented in the logistics system 130 and / or the controller 170. Thus, a distributed computing environment is also an option in an implementation of the control system 100. The control system 100 may be configured to receive data descriptive on a scheduling of service from the logistics system 130 but also data descriptive of status of charging in the charging station 150 as is described in the forthcoming description. Thus, in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention the control system 100 may be configured to execute a service of matching aspects relating to the service of the electric truck 120 in the logistics hub 110 and the service of the charging station 150 for the electric truck 120.

[0043] Next at least some aspects of the invention are described by referring to Figure 2 illustrating a method for reserving a charging point 160 of a charging station 150 for an electric truck 120 according to an example. In accordance with the invention the electric truck 120 is allocated with a service slot by a logistics system 130 which is at least configured to manage service slots in a logistics hub 110. In other words, the service slot refers to a definition of an instant of service in the logistics hub 110 provided to the electric truck 120. Moreover, the logistics system 130 may store, or has access, at least some sort of preliminary data relating to the electric truck 120 in question, such as identification information relating to the electric truck 120, information describing characteristics of the electric truck 120 like that the truck is an electric truck 120, etc. The method as illustrated in Figure 2 is executed by a control system 100.

[0044] In step 210, the control system 100 is configured to receive 210 data descriptive of the service slot of the electric truck 120 in the logistics hub 110 from the logistics system 130. The received data at least defines an estimated instant of service of the electric truck 120 in the logistics hub 110 but it may also comprise other data, such as at least part of the preliminary data as mentioned above. The instant of service may be expressed as a time window e.g. defining at least a starting time of the service provision but the instant of service may also be expressed as an order number or like which provides information on an expected instant of service to the electric truck 120. For example, the service slots may be defined to have a standard duration and the order of the service is then relevant in an estimation of the instant of service.

[0045] In accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention the data descriptive of the service slot of the electric truck 120 in the logistics hub 110 may be received 210 in response to an inquiry of the data with an identifier of the electric truck 120. In other words, the logistics system 130 may be configured to obtain data descriptive of the identifier of the electric truck 120 and the logistics system 130 provides the data to the control system 100 e.g. with the data relating to the service slot in the logistics hub 110. The data descriptive of the identifier of the electric truck 120 may be received from at least one of the following: a detection system 135 of the logistics hub 110; a user interface 140 of the logistics hub 110. This refers to an approach that the electric truck 120 is identified e.g. by reading the register number with a camera belonging to the detection system 135 and the register number is used in an obtainment of data descriptive of the service slot of the electric truck 120 and any other data if applied, but also operations in relation to a reservation of a charging point as is described in the forthcoming description. Naturally, other identification methods may be applied so as to determine an identifier used in the system. As said, the operator of the electric truck 120 may also input the identifier through the user interface 140. According to an embodiment, an output device 125 may be controlled to display a unique code, such as a QR- code, for the operator of the electric truck 120 to scan it with their personal terminal device 140 which would lead to a URL-page for inputting data relating to the arrival, the electric truck 120 and so on. For avoidance of doubt it is also worth mentioning that the data e.g. defining the service slot of the electric truck 120 may be maintained in a database into which the logistics system 130 may perform inquiries.

[0046] In relation to the identifier it may also be arranged that the identifier is associated with additional information of the electric truck 120 in question. The other information may e.g. define aspects in relation to charging of the electric truck 120, such as what type of charging coupler it has, how much charging power it takes etc. The additional information may be provided by the owner of the electric truck 120, or the electric truck company, for example when the loading / unloading of the electric truck 120 is scheduled prior to the arrival at the logistics hub 110. The information may be received automatically e.g. via an electric truck management system during the electric truck 120 ordering and scheduling. The associated additional information may e.g. be utilized when the electric truck 120 is identified as arrived on site for the purpose of reserving and / or guiding to correct type of charging point 160.

[0047] Thus, in response to the receipt 210 of the data descriptive of the service slot of the electric truck 120 in question the control system 100 is configured to determine 220, based on the estimated instant of service in the logistics hub 110, if a charging point 160 is available prior to the service slot allocated to the electric truck 120. According to an embodiment of the invention the control system 100 may inquire from a controller 170 of one or more charging stations 150 a status with respect to the charging points 160 of the charging station(s) 150. The controller 170 is configured to generate a response comprising data descriptive of the statuses of the charging points 160 wherein the data in the response is analyzed by the controller 170. Hence, the control system 100 may be configured to perform the determination 220 based on a detection that there is at least one charging point 160 available prior to the service slot allocated to electric truck 120. In more sophisticated approaches the control system 100 may be configured to evaluate a time window between the current instant of time and the estimated instant of service in the logistics hub 110. In response to a determination of the time window the control system 100 may be configured to determine an amount of charging that can be achieved in the determined time window if the electric truck 120 is taken into the charging point 160. In the determination of the amount of charging at least a charging power of the charging point 160 as well as a time available for charging is taken into account. The time available for charging may be determined so that a travel time from the current position of the electric truck, e.g. at the logistics hub 110, to the charging point 160 and a travel time from the charging point 160 to the logistics hub 110 are used for determining the actual charging time of the electric truck 120 and, thus, in the determination of the actual amount of charging. The actual amount of charging may be compared to a reference value in order to determine if it is worth initiating the procedure to charge the electric truck 120 or not.

[0048] According to some example embodiments, the control system 100 may be configured to control the output device 125 to provide an estimate of the amount of charging possible during estimated waiting time (taking into account data relating to the type of the electric truck 120, a state of charge (SOC) value of the electric truck 120 at arrival, available charging point(s) 160 and their charging power) and / or a cost associated to that amount of energy, and the operator of the electric truck 120 may either accept or reject the reservation based on this information. For example, if the electric truck 120 may be charged only an equivalent of 1 % of the SOC of the electric truck 120, the operator might choose to reject the reservation, or if the charging would amount 25% of the SOC, the operator could choose to accept the reservation. The interaction may be performed by means of the output device 125 that is also suitable for receiving input from the operator or by means of the output device 125 and a terminal device of the operator of the electric truck 120 wherein the input is given with the terminal device. For avoidance of doubt it is worthwhile to mention that the control system 100 may e.g. inquire necessary pieces of data required to generate the estimate of the charging possible during estimated waiting time from data storage, or similar, arranged to store such pieces of data. The data in the data storage may e.g. be maintained a company owning the electric truck 120 and, therefore, having access to data in relation to the electric truck 120, such as the energy consumption of it. The data storage may also be managed by a party which has access to charging data of various electric trucks 120, such as the party managing the charging stations 150, which enables storing of such pieces of data.

[0049] In accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention the determination 220 if the charging point 160 is available prior to the service slot allocated to the electric truck 120 is performed from a pool of charging points 160. Hence, the charging points 160 in the pool may reside in different charging stations 150. In response to a detection that there is a plurality of available charging points 160 in the pool of the charging points 160 the selection of the charging point 160, as a result of the determination 220, may be performed by maximizing an amount of charging of the electric truck 120 in a time window by taking into account a travel time from a position of the electric truck 120 to the charging point 160 and from the charging point 160 to the logistics hub 110 to meet the service slot in the logistics hub 110. Also an estimation of the charging time is taken into account. In the determination of the travel time the control system 100 may be configured to perform an inquiry to a navigation system by providing the mentioned positions as waypoints. The navigation system returns the travel time possibly with other data as a response which may then be applied for the described purpose. As becomes clear from above the position of the electric truck 120 is used in the described embodiments in the determination of the travel time and use of it in the described manner. For example, the position of the electric truck 120 may be in the logistics hub 110 wherein it is registered to and instructed to wait its turn to be served. Hence, the travel time refers to a trip from the logistics hub 110 to the determined charging point 160 and back to the logistics hub 110. However, it is worthwhile to understand that the invention according to the described embodiments is also applicable in a situation that the electric truck 120 is e.g. approaching the logistics hub 110 and the control system 100 is configured to determine even prior to reaching the logistics hub 110 if the charging of the electric truck 120 is worth doing. This kind of embodiment is possible to implement when the logistics system 130 receives data e.g. from the electric truck 120 indicative of the position of the electric truck 120 and a predefined distance e.g. with respect to the logistics hub 110 triggers the execution of the method according to the invention.

[0050] In view of the above described embodiments the step of determining 220 may generate a detection that a charging point is available and in response to that the control system 100 is configured to generate 230 a control signal that causes a reservation of the charging point 160 for the electric truck 120. Hence, the control signal may be generated 230 towards the controller 170 of the charging station 150 that controls the charging point 160 in question. The control signal causes the controller 170 to reserve the charging point 160 for the electric truck 120. In some embodiments the control signal may also carry data defining an estimated instant of time the electric truck 120 arrives the charging station 150 in question. Such piece of data may e.g. be received by the control system 100 from the navigation system applied for the determination of the travel time of the electric truck 120 as described. The controller 170 may utilize the piece of data e.g. in scheduling of the reservation of the charging point 160. Moreover, the controller 170 of the charging point 160 may be configured to generate, in response to the reservation, a code for activating the charging point 160 when the electric truck 120 arrives at the charging point 160 for charging. The controller 170 may provide the code to the control system 100 e.g. together when transmitting a confirmation signal on the reservation.

[0051] In accordance with an embodiment the control system 100 may be configured to, e.g. in response to the generation of the control signal causing the reservation of the charging point 160, generate a signal comprising data indicative of the reservation at least to the logistics system 130. In other words, the control system 100 may inform the logistics system 130 on the reservation of the charging point 160. The signal may also carry additional data, such as data defining the charging point 160 and the code for activating the reserved charging point 160 and e.g. driving instructions thereto. The signal by the control system 100 is generated so that it causes the logistics system 130 to output at least some pieces of data. Hence, in response to receipt of the signal from the control system 100 the logistics system 130 may be configured to generate a signal to output information on an output device 125, such as on a display device, in relation to the reserved charging. The information output may e.g. comprise one or more instructions to reach the charging point 160, such an address of the charging point 160, that is reserved for the electric truck 120 in question as well as other information, such as timing information but also the code for activating the reserved charging point 160. Hence, the operator of the electric truck 120 receives the necessary information with respect to the charging over the output device 125.

[0052] In some embodiments the control system 100 is configured to request a confirmation from an operator of the electric truck 120 with respect to a reservation of charging point 160. Namely, the control system 100 may be configured to, in response to the detection that the charging point 160 is available, generate a signal to the logistics system 130 to cause interaction with the operator of the electric truck 120 e.g. over the user interface 140 of the logistics hub 110 to request if he / she accepts a charging of the electric truck 120 in the determined charging point 160, i.e. if a reservation of the charging point 160 is to be made or not. The request may comprise additional data descriptive of the additional details in relation to the charging, such as data descriptive of a travel time to the charging point 160, an estimated charging time and so on. The operator responds and the data is delivered to the control system 100 through the logistics system 130 and in case the response comprises data indicative of the acceptance of the charging the control system 100 generates to the control signal to reserve the charging point 160. On the other hand, if the response comprises data indicative of non- acceptance of the charging the control system 100 may be configured to cancel the reservation procedure as described. The control system 100 may alternatively be configured to generate the signal to request the acceptance of the reservation of the charging point to a terminal device of the operator of the electric truck 120 in case the control system 100 is aware of the contact details of the operator, such as a phone number or any similar piece of data, or by using a dedicated application in the terminal device. The signal may also be generated through the logistics system 130.

[0053] It may also be arranged that the control system 100 is configured to monitor that the charging is initiated. For example, the control system 100 may be configured to receive data from the controller 170 of the charging point 160 e.g. on that the charging point is activated as planned. If the control system 100 does not receive such a confirmation in a predefined time window, it may be configured to generate a cancelation signal towards the controller 170 so as to release the reserved charging point 160 for public use. In this manner the control system 100 may maintain an efficiency in the charging station 150. Moreover, the control system 100 may also be configured to inform the logistics system 130 on that the charging of the electric truck 120 was not initiated.

[0054] The present invention is also applicable in situations when the instant of service of an electric truck 120 is to be re-scheduled. This may e.g. refer to a situation in which the electric truck 120 is provided with a service slot with a predefined instant of time but due to any reason the electric truck 120 does not reach the logistics hub 110 in time. The late arrival may be detected automatically by the control system 100 if it is provided with an information enabling a monitoring of the travel of the electric truck 120 or the late arrival may be detected when the electric truck 120 arrives at the entrance of the logistics hub 110 through the identification mechanism of the electric truck 120 as described. In response to the detected late arrival the logistics system 130 may be configured to re-schedule the service slot and compare the arrival time of the electric truck 120 with the updated service slot allocated to the electric truck 120. A threshold value may be applied to determine if the difference is more than the threshold value, the process may be continued towards charging reservation and / or guidance. The threshold value may be adjustable and chosen for example by taking into account how long it takes time to drive to the selected charging point 160 and back as already described in the foregoing description. The selection of the charging point 160 may be performed among the pool of the charging points 160 by evaluating each of the charging points 160 belonging to the pool in the described manner (cf. e.g. by taking into account the travel time and so on as well as an estimated charging time).

[0055] An example of a computing apparatus suitable to implement a functionality of the control system 100 is schematically illustrated in Figure 3. The computing apparatus implanting the functionality of the control system 100 may be a computer device, for example. For sake of clarity, it is worthwhile to mention that the block diagram of Figure 3 depicts some components of an entity that may be employed to implement a functionality of the apparatus.

[0056] The apparatus of Figure 3 comprises a processing unit 310 consisting of a number of processors and a memory 320. The memory 320 may store data, but also computer program code 325, causing an operation in a manner as is described in the foregoing description. The apparatus may further comprise a communication interface 330, such as a wireless communication interface or a communication interface for wired communication, or both to communicate with other entities at least belonging to the charging system as described. The communication interface 330 may thus comprise one or more modems, antennas, and any other hardware and software for enabling an execution of the communication e.g. under control of the processing unit 410. Furthermore, I / O (input / output) components may be arranged, together with the processing unit 310 and a portion of the computer program code 325, to provide a user interface for receiving input from an operator and / or providing output to the operator of the apparatus when necessary. In particular, the I / O components may include user input means, such as one or more keys or buttons, a keyboard, a touchscreen, or a touchpad, etc. The I / O components may also include output means, such as a loudspeaker, a display, or a touchscreen. The components of the apparatus may be communicatively connected to each other via data bus that enables transfer of data and control information between the components. The memory 320 and at least a portion of the computer program code 325 stored therein may further be arranged, with the processing unit 310, to cause the apparatus to perform at least a portion of a method as is described in the forthcoming description. The processor 310 may be configured to read from and write to the memory 320. Although the processing unit 310 is depicted as a respective single component, it may be implemented as respective one or more separate processing components. Similarly, although the memory 320 is depicted as a respective single component, it may be implemented as respective one or more separate components, some, or all of which may be integrated I removable and I or may provide permanent I semi-permanent I dynamic / cached storage.

[0057] The computer program code 325 may comprise computer-executable instructions that implement functions that correspond to steps implemented in the method when loaded into the processing unit 310 of the respective control system 100. As an example, the computer program code 325 may include a computer program consisting of one or more sequences of one or more instructions which may relate to an execution of the method, but also other operations. The processing unit 310 is able to load and execute the computer program by reading the one or more sequences of one or more instructions included therein from the memory 320. The one or more sequences of one or more instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processing unit 310, cause the apparatus to perform a method as described. Hence, the apparatus may comprise at least one processing unit 310 and at least one memory 320 including the computer program code 325 for one or more programs, the at least one memory 320 and the computer program code 325 configured to, with the at least one processor 310, cause the apparatus implementing the control system 100 to perform at least the method.

[0058] The computer program code 325 may be provided e.g. a computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable non-transitory medium having the computer program code 325 stored thereon, which computer program code 325, when executed by the at least one processor of the processing unit 310, causes the apparatus to perform the method. The computer-readable non-transitory medium may comprise a memory device or a record medium, such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, a Blu-ray disc, or another article of manufacture that tangibly embodies the computer program. As another example, the computer program may be provided as a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program.

[0059] Still further, the computer program code 325 may comprise a proprietary application, such as computer program code for causing an execution of the method in the manner as described in the description herein.

[0060] Any of the programmed functions mentioned may also be performed in firmware or hardware adapted to or programmed to perform the necessary tasks.

[0061] The operation of the apparatus implementing the controller 110 may be implemented with a plurality of apparatuses, such as with the one schematically illustrated in Figure 3, as a distributed computing environment. The distributed computing environment may be implemented as a cloud computing system wherein a number of apparatuses are harnessed to execute operations to generate an implementation of a method as is described herein. In the distributed computing environment the plurality of apparatuses are each configured to perform a dedicated task or dedicated tasks and the cooperation of the apparatuses cause the operation of the control system to occur in the manner as is described.

[0062] For avoidance of doubt, the term ‘electric truck’ in the context of the present invention shall be understood to cover various types of heavy electric vehicles, such as transport trucks (comprising a tractor and a trailer) and semi-trucks, which are harnessed to operate with respect to the logistics hubs 110 wherein there may be time windows which may be used for charging when coordinated in the described manner.

[0063] In some approaches the present invention may comprise a preliminary step in which a type of the vehicle arriving in the logistics hub 110 is provided to the logistics system 130 e.g. with other information, such as with a predefined identifier like a register number, so as to enable the detection system 135 and / or, thus, the logistics system 130 to provide such information to the control system 100 that enables the control system to initiate the method according to the invention for only such trucks which are identified to be electric trucks 110. The trucks identified to be non-electric (cf. e.g. operating with internal combustion engine) may be instructed to a waiting area in the logistics hub 110. The approach improves an accuracy of the invention as the method is only applied to electric trucks 110.

[0064] The specific examples provided in the description given above should not be construed as limiting the applicability and / or the interpretation of the appended claims. Lists and groups of examples provided in the description given above are not exhaustive unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Claims

22WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for reserving a charging point (160) of a charging station (150) for an electric truck (120), the electric truck (120) being allocated with a service slot by a logistics system (130) managing service slots in a logistics hub (110), the method, performed by a control system (100), comprises: receiving (210) data descriptive of the service slot of the electric truck (120) in the logistics hub (120) from the logistics system (130), the data at least defining an estimated instant of service in the logistics hub (110), determining (220), based on the estimated instant of service in the logistics hub (110), if a charging point (160) is available prior to the service slot allocated to the electric truck (120), generating (230), in response to a detection that the charging point (160) is available prior to the service slot allocated to the electric truck (120), a control signal causing a reservation of the charging point (160) for the electric truck (120).

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the data descriptive of the service slot of the electric truck (120) is received in response to an inquiry of the data with an identifier of the electric truck (120).

3. The method according to the claim 2, wherein the identifier of the electric truck (120) is received from at least one of the following: a detection system (135) of the logistics hub (110); a user interface (140) of the logistics hub (110).

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, the method further comprising: generating, in response to a generation of the control signal causing the reservation of the charging point (160), a signal comprising data relating to the reservation of the charging point (160) to an output device (125) of the logistics hub (110).

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the data relating to the reservation of the charging point (160) comprises one or more instructions to reach the charging point (160) reserved for the electric truck (120).

6. The method according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the data relating to the reservation of the charging point (160) comprises a code for activating a charging by the charging point (160) reserved for the electric truck (120).

7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a determination if the charging point (160) is available prior to the service slot allocated to the electric truck (120) is performed from a pool of charging points (160).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the charging point is selected, as a result of the determination, by maximizing an amount of charging of the electric truck (120) in a time window by taking into account a travel time from a position of the electric truck (120) to the charging point and from the charging point to the logistics hub to meet the service slot in the logistics hub (110).

9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, the method further comprising: generating a request for an acceptance of the reservation of the charging point (160) determined to be available from an operator of the electric truck (120) prior to generating the control signal causing the reservation of the charging point (160) for the electric truck (120).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the inquiry is generated at least to one of the following: the user interface of the logistics hub (140), a terminal device of the operator of the electric truck (120).

11. A control system (100) for reserving a charging point (160) of a charging station (150) for an electric truck (120), the electric truck (120) being allocated with a service slot by a logistics system (130) managing service slots in a logistics hub (110), the control system (100) is configured to:receive (210) data descriptive of the service slot of the electric truck (120) in the logistics hub (120) from the logistics system (130), the data at least defining an estimated instant of service in the logistics hub (110), determine (220), based on the estimated instant of service in the logistics hub (110), if a charging point (160) is available prior to the service slot allocated to the electric truck (120), generate (230), in response to a detection that the charging point (160) is available prior to the service slot allocated to the electric truck (120), a control signal causing a reservation of the charging point (160) for the electric truck (120).

12. The control system (100) according to claim 11 , wherein the control system (100) is configured to receive the data descriptive of the service slot of the electric truck (120) in response to an inquiry of the data with an identifier of the electric truck (120).

13. The control system (100) according to the claim 12, wherein the control system (100) is configured to receive the identifier of the electric truck (120) from at least one of the following: a detection system (135) of the logistics hub (110); a user interface (140) of the logistics hub (110).

14. The control system (100) according to any of the preceding claims 11 to 13, the control system (100) is further configured to: generate, in response to a generation of the control signal causing the reservation of the charging point (160), a signal comprising data relating to the reservation of the charging point (160) to an output device (125) of the logistics hub (110).

15. The control system (100) according to claim 14, wherein the data relating to the reservation of the charging point (160) comprises one or more instructions to reach the charging point (160) reserved for the electric truck (120).2516. The control system (100) according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the data relating to the reservation of the charging point (160) comprises a code for activating a charging by the charging point (160) reserved for the electric truck (120).

17. The control system (100) according to any of the preceding claims 11 to 16, wherein the control system (100) is configured to perform a determination if the charging point (160) is available prior to the service slot allocated to the electric truck (120) from a pool of charging points (160).

18. The control system (100) according to claim 17, wherein the control system (100) is configured to select the charging point (160), as a result of the determination, by maximizing an amount of charging of the electric truck (120) in a time window by taking into account a travel time from a position of the electric truck (120) to the charging point and from the charging point to the logistics hub to meet the service slot in the logistics hub (110).

19. The control system (100) according to any of the preceding claims 11 to 18, the control system (100) is further configured to: generate a request for an acceptance of the reservation of the charging point (160) determined to be available from an operator of the electric truck (120) prior to generating the control signal causing the reservation of the charging point (160) for the electric truck (120).

20. The control system (100) according to claim 19, wherein the control system (100) is configured to generate the inquiry at least to one of the following: the user interface of the logistics hub (140), a terminal device of the operator of the electric truck (120).21 . A computer program comprising instructions to cause the control system (100) of claim 11 to execute the steps of the method of claim 1 .

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