Arrangement for detecting duplicate radio frequency identification tag identification token in electric vehicle charging

Abstract

An arrangement for managing radio frequency identification tags used in charging electric vehicles. A radio frequency identification tag is a convenient way to start a charging session of an electric vehicle. The charging operator provides these tags to customers. Customers can use these tags for identifying themselves at the charging stations. As the identification token (200, 300, 400) of the radio frequency identification tag is not necessarily unique, a specific request is generated (210, 310, 410) to check (230, 330, 430) if the identification token is already in use.

Description

[0001] ARRANGEMENT FOR DETECTING DUPLICATE RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION TAG IDENTIFICATION TOKEN IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING

[0002] DESCRIPTION OF BACKGROUND

[0003] The following disclosure relates to charging arrangements for electric vehicles . Particularly, the following disclosure relates to managing customer identification at charging stations using a radio frequency identification tag and particularly reducing the number of radio frequency identification tags having a same identification token.

[0004] When a driver with an electric vehicle arrives at a charging station an account that is responsible for the costs caused by a charging session needs to be identified. The account is typically assigned to one person, a company or any other entity that can be legally held responsible for costs .

[0005] The account can be identified by using several different methods . One commonly used method is to use a radio frequency identification tag comprising an identification token. When the tag is shown to a reader at the charging station, the charging station typically sends an authorization request to the operator of the particular charging station.

[0006] The identification tokens are associated with user accounts . Thus, when the operator receives an identification token, it will compare the identification token with the user accounts for recognizing a user associated with the received identification token. If the token is found from the user accounts, the operator will authorize the charging station to start a charging session. If the identification token cannot be found, it is possible that the radio frequency identification tag has been issued by another charging station operatorand the driver is wishing to start a roaming charging session .

[0007] A roaming charging session is a session wherein the car is charged at a charging station which belongs to a different operator, than the operator who issued the radio frequency identification tag. The operator of the charging station will typically send a roaming charging session request to a roaming platform or a system controlling roaming charging sessions . If the operator who owns the charging station receives an authorization as a response to the request from the operator who assigned the radio frequency identification tag, it will authorize a charging session at the charging station. Thus, the roaming charging session is similar to roaming in mobile phones, wherein the user of the mobile phone can use the mobile phone in another network, typically but not necessarily in another country, in a manner that the additional costs of the roaming are invoiced by the home operator with which the user has made a contract . The additional costs are first charged from the home operator by the roaming operator . In the electric vehicle charging roaming charging gives a possibility stop whenever it is desired and charge the vehicle even if the driver does not have a subscription with the charging operator hosting the chosen stop . In that case the charging is initiated by using the same identification means, after which the charging operator requests a permission to start charging.

[0008] Each of the radio frequency identification tags comprises an identification token that is typically permanently coded and cannot be changed. Furthermore, these identification tokens are issued by several radio frequency identification tag manufacturers and are not necessarily unique .SUMMARY

[0009] In the following disclosure an arrangement for managing radio frequency identification tags used in charging electric vehicles is disclosed. A radio frequency identification tag is a convenient way to start a charging session of an electric vehicle . The charging operator provides these tags to customers . Customers can use these tags for identifying themselves at the charging stations . As the identification token of the radio frequency identification tag is not necessarily unique, a specific request is generated to check if the identification token is already in use . The specific request will be executed typically only when the radio frequency identification tag is assigned to a customer . However, it is possible to have additional checks later, for example, as a response to incorrect invoices or other events that might launch a need for an additional check.

[0010] In an aspect an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one processor configured to execute computer program code; at least one network interface configured to communicate with external data communication devices, wherein at least one memory configured to store computer program code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, is configured to cause the apparatus to : receive an identification token of a radio frequency identification tag associated with an account for charging electric vehicles; generate an authorization request for a roaming charging session based on the received identification token and a charging station identification; transmit the request for a roaming charging session to at least one roaming platform; receive a response from the at least one roaming platform; and determine, when at least one roaming platform responds to the authorization request by an approval for a roaming charging session, that the received identification token is not unique .It is beneficial to have a procedure according to the aspect so that the likelihood of using duplicate radio frequency identification tags is reduced. This reduces the number of incorrectly performed identifications and, thus, also incorrectly invoiced customers . Incorrectly invoiced customers cause additional inconvenience in the customer experience and also cause additional costs when the incorrect invoices are dealt with.

[0011] In an implementation the apparatus is further configured to transmit the authorization request to a roaming platform configured to process roaming requests for one or more charging providers . It is beneficial to use an authorization request that is sent to one or more charging providers . When the authorization request is sent to all charging providers having a roaming agreement, it is possible to detect if any of those is currently using the identification token submitted with the request .

[0012] In an implementation the apparatus is further configured to transmit the authorization request to one or more charging providers . It is beneficial to have the possibility to send the authorization request directly to other charging providers so that all providers can be reached even if they are currently not reachable through a roaming platform.

[0013] In an implementation the apparatus is further configured to receive the identification token of a radio frequency identification tag as a part of a request to associate new radio frequency identification tag with an account for charging electric vehicles . It is beneficial to do the check when issuing new tags to customers so that duplicate identification tokens are not given to customers .

[0014] In an implementation the apparatus is further configured to receive the identification token of a radio frequency identification tag as a response to anincident report . It is beneficial to do the check as a response to an incident report, such as, after a reclamation of an incorrect invoice . This facilitates detecting if some other charging operator has issued a tag with duplicate identification token to a customer .

[0015] In an implementation the apparatus is further configured to generate the authorization request for a charging session using a dummy charging station identification. It is beneficial to use a dummy charging station identification so that it cannot be accidentally confused with a real charging session. The dummy charging station identification is not assigned to a real charging station and thus, the dummy charging station identification cannot lead into an accidental charging session.

[0016] In an implementation the apparatus is further configured to associate the account for charging electric vehicles with another radio frequency identification tag. It is beneficial to issue a new tag after a duplicate tag has been detected. This reduces incorrect invoices and other incidents caused by duplicate tags .

[0017] In an aspect a system is disclosed. The system comprises an apparatus as disclosed in the above . The system further comprises at least one roaming platform. It is beneficial to have the apparatus in the system so that the number of duplicate identification tokens used in the system can be reduced.

[0018] In an aspect a method for determining uniqueness of an identification token of a radio frequency identification tag associated with an account for charging electric vehicles is disclosed. The method comprises : receiving an identification token of a radio frequency identification tag associated with an account for charging electric vehicles; generating an authorization request for a roaming charging session based on the received identification token and acharging station identification; transmitting the authorization request for a roaming charging session to at least one roaming platform; receiving a response from the at least one roaming platform; and determining when at least one roaming platform responds to the authorization request by an approval for a roaming charging session, that the received identification token is not unique .

[0019] It is beneficial to have a procedure according to the aspect so that the likelihood of using duplicate radio frequency identification tags is reduced. This reduces the number of incorrectly performed identifications and, thus, also incorrectly invoiced customers . Incorrectly invoiced customers cause additional inconvenience in the customer experience and cause additional costs when the incorrect invoices are dealt with.

[0020] In an implementation the method comprises transmitting the authorization request to a roaming platform configured to process roaming requests for one or more charging providers . It is beneficial to use an authorization request that is sent to one or more charging providers . When the authorization request is sent to all charging providers having a roaming agreement, it is possible to detect if any of those is currently using the identification token submitted with the request .

[0021] In an implementation the method comprises receiving the identification token of a radio frequency identification tag as a part of a request to associate new radio frequency identification tag with an account for charging electric vehicles . It is beneficial to do the check when issuing new tags to customers so that duplicate identification tokens are not given to customers .

[0022] In an implementation the method comprises receiving the identification token of a radio frequencyidentification tag as a response to an incident report . It is beneficial to do the check as a response to an incident report, such as, after a reclamation of an incorrect invoice . This facilitates detecting if some other charging operator has issued a tag with duplicate identification token to a customer .

[0023] In an implementation the method comprises generating the authorization request for a charging session using a dummy charging station identification. It is beneficial to use a dummy charging station identification so that it cannot be accidentally confused with a real charging session. The dummy charging station identification is not assigned to a real charging station and thus, the dummy charging station identification cannot lead into an accidental charging session.

[0024] In an implementation the method comprises associating the account for charging electric vehicles with another radio frequency identification tag. It is beneficial to issue a new tag after a duplicate tag has been detected. This reduces incorrect invoices and other incidents caused by duplicate tags .

[0025] In an aspect a computer program is disclosed. The computer program comprises instructions that, when executed by a computing device, are configured to cause performing a method described in the above .

[0026] The above-described aspects and implementations reduce the number of duplicate identification tokens used in electric vehicle charging. The aspects and implementations improve reducing the number of duplicates even when different charging providers do not have any cooperation with regard to this problem.

[0027] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the arrangementfor detecting duplicate radiofrequency identification tag identification token in electric vehicle charging and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments and together with the description help to explain the principles of the arrangement for detecting duplicate radiofrequency identification tag identification token in electric vehicle charging. In the drawings :

[0029] Fig. 1 is an example block diagram of an arrangement for detecting duplicate tags,

[0030] Fig. 2 is an example of a method for detecting duplicate tags ,

[0031] Fig. 3 is an example of a method for detecting duplicate tags , and

[0032] Fig. 4 is an example of a method for detecting duplicate tags .

[0033] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings .

[0035] In the following examples methods and arrangements for charging electric vehicles using a radio frequency identification tag are disclosed. In the disclosure electric vehicle is to be understood as any vehicle that can be charged using a charging station or similar charging point . Typically, these vehicles are fully electric vehicles, however, hybrid vehicles having both internal combustion engine and electric motors should be understood to be an electric vehicle within the context of the following disclosure .

[0036] In the following disclosure a system for detecting possible duplicate identification tokens is using a process for starting a roaming charging system. In the following examples of implementations are given, however, similar principles may be used in alternativeways of starting a roaming charging session. Instead of starting a real roaming charging session the mechanism will be used only for detecting if initiating roaming session is possible .

[0037] In figure 1, an example of a block diagram of an arrangement for detecting duplicate radiofrequency identification tag identification token in electric vehicle charging. In the example of figure 1 an apparatus 100 is shown. The apparatus comprises at least one processor 102, at least one memory 104 and at least one network interface 106. Additionally, the apparatus may comprise further components, such as a display, keyboard and other input means . In one example the apparatus is a common computer comprising computer program code, which causes, when executed, performing a method according to one of the examples discussed in below. The apparatus is typically connected to the network of the charging operator so that it has access to the customer database .

[0038] When a charging operator assigns new radio frequency identification tags to customers it uses a computing device, such as the apparatus 100. This is performed by reading a radio frequency identification tag with a radio frequency identification tag reader so that the identification token stored on the tag can be read. Then the identification token is associated with a user account that may be an already existing account or created at the same time . The reader device may be a part of the apparatus or an external device that is attached to the apparatus . The creation of the user accounts as such is conventional . The operator making the association can verify that the customer database does not have other customers with the same identification token. This, however, might not be sufficient as the identification token is not necessarily unique because other radio frequency identification tag manufacturers may issue the sameidentification token, and these tags may end up being used as tags for a charging service . In such cases it is possible that the costs are addressed to an incorrect account .

[0039] In the example of figure 1 the arrangement for detecting duplicate radio frequency identification tag identification token in electric vehicle charging is configured to send an authorization request to one or more roaming platforms 110, 120. The roaming platforms are controlling roaming charging session requests with the identification token that is being associated with an account . The roaming platform will respond to the request typically either approving or denying the charging session, however, it is possible that it has more response types . For example, it could be possible to have a response type indicating that the number exists, but the session is denied or that the number does not exist and the session is denied because of that .

[0040] If the response is approved or a response that otherwise indicates that the identification token is already in use, the operator associating the identification toke with an account may rej ect the radio frequency identification tag and associate the account with another radio frequency identification tag. A similar process for checking the identification token can be done . This process reduces the risk that the identification token is used by two or more accounts and the costs are not addressed correctly. A similar process may be performed also when a person files a complaint about costs that the person considers incorrectly addressed. It is possible that even if the operator verifies the uniqueness of the identification tokens that a second operator assigns that particular identification token after the check. Similarly new roaming agreements can cause problems by increasing thenumber of possible tags used in roaming with that operator .

[0041] In figure 2 an example of a method in an arrangement for detecting duplicate radiofrequency identification tag identification token in electric vehicle charging is disclosed. The method is initiated by receiving an identification token of a radio frequency identification tag, step 200. This is most conveniently done by using a tag reading device . This step is typically the first step of a process of associating an identification token with a user account . However, in the example of figure 2 the method is not necessarily performed for new accounts only but may be performed for various reasons .

[0042] After the identification token has been obtained, an apparatus similar to the apparatus of figure 1 generates an authorization request for a roaming charging session, step 210. The authorization request comprises the information required for starting a roaming charging session, which includes at least identification of the charging station and the identification token of the radio frequency identification tag. The roaming charging session is a charging session at a charging station, wherein the charging invoice is submitted to a second charging operator . The second charging operator invoices the charging session from their client . This is possible when a roaming agreement between these has been agreed. It is possible to use a dummy identification of the charging station. Thus, the dummy identification may be selected particularly for the purpose of checking if the roaming charging session is authorized.

[0043] The generated authorization request is then sent to one or more roaming platforms, step 220. The roaming platforms are network connected service platforms that can receive requests from their partners . The charging operator has a roaming agreement in place,the roaming platform will provide an authorization as a response to the request .

[0044] The provided response to the authorization request is received at the charging operator, for example, by an apparatus similar to the earlier described apparatus of the example of figure 1, step 230 .

[0045] Based on the response it is possible to determine if the identification token is not unique, step 240. If the authorization request is successful, it means that a second charging operator is using the same identification token for their customer . If the response does not authorize a roaming charging session, it is possible that the identification token is currently unique in a sense that it has not currently been associated with a radio frequency identification tag used by any of the charging operators with which the charging operator has a roaming agreement in place .

[0046] In figure 3 an example of a method in an arrangement for detecting duplicate radiofrequency identification tag identification token in electric vehicle charging is disclosed. The example method of figure 3 the method is performed particularly for associating a new radio frequency identification tag with a user account . This means that a person needs a new tag because of a new customer relationship, or the previous tag has been lost or does not work anymore, step 300. Typically the person associating the new tag with the user account reads the identification token using a radio frequency identification tag reader and associates using a computer program the identification token of the read tag with the user account selected from the computer program.

[0047] After the initial step the charging operator is again willing to check if the identification token is already in use . For the check the charging operator generates an authorization request for initiating acharging session using a dummy charging station ID so that the request can be easily identified for being information purposes only instead of real charging. This is done in step 310. The generated authorization request is then sent to one or more roaming platforms, step 320.

[0048] After one or more roaming platforms have processed the roaming charging session request, the charging operator receives a response, step 330. If the response to authorizing a roaming charging session is positive, the used identification token is not unique and already in use, step 340. As a consequence, the account has to be associated with a different radio frequency identification tag, step 350. This may be performed, for example, by initiating the method of this example again from the beginning.

[0049] In figure 4 an example of a method in an arrangement for detecting duplicate radiofrequency identification tag identification token in electric vehicle charging is disclosed. In the example of Figure 4 the method initiates with an incident report, step 400. The incident report includes information about the user account or identification token it relates to . An incident that is reported may be, for example, a reclamation of a charging session that the customer hasn' t made . This can be caused, for example, by a roaming charging session initiated by a customer of a second charging operator . In such situation the second charging operator has associated the same identification token with a user account . When the charging operators have a roaming agreement, it is possible that the wrong user is recognized with the response to a request for authorizing a roaming charging session. In order to prevent it in the future, new identification token may be assigned to the customer . In the process, as a response to the incident report, the customer is given new radio frequency identification tag. Using the identification token of the new tag the chargingoperator generates a request for authorizing a roaming charging session, step 410. The generated request is sent to at least one roaming platform for determining if any of other charging providers authorize initiating a charging session, step 420. A response to the sent request is received, step 430. Based on the response it is possible to determine if the identification token is currently unique among the charging operators that have a roaming agreement with the charging operator . If a response is received, the identification token is not unique, step 440. In the example of Figure 4 this is more common as the method has been initiated after an incident report that is indicative of a situation that needs to be changed. After determining that the identification token is being used by a second charging operator, a new radio frequency identification tag is associated with the user account .

[0050] The above-mentioned methods may be implemented as computer software which is executed in a computing device able to communicate with a mobile device . When the software is executed in a computing device, it is configured to perform the above-described inventive method. The software is embodied on a computer readable medium so that it can be provided to the computing device, such as the apparatus 100 of figure 1.

[0051] As stated above, the components of the exemplary embodiments can include a computer readable medium or memories for holding instructions programmed according to the teachings of the present inventions and for holding data structures, tables, records, and / or other data described herein. A computer readable medium can include any suitable medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution. Common forms of computer-readable media can include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other suitable magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CD±R, CD±RW, DVD, DVD-RAM, DVDiRW, DVD±R, HD DVD,HD DVD-R, HD DVD-RW, HD DVD-RAM, Blu-ray Disc, any other suitable optical medium, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other suitable memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave or any other suitable medium from which a computer can read.

[0052] It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that with the advancement of technology, the basic idea of the arrangement for detecting duplicate radiofrequency identification tag identification token in electric vehicle charging may be implemented in various ways . The arrangement for detecting duplicate radiofrequency identification tag identification token in electric vehicle charging and its embodiments are thus not limited to the examples described above; instead they may vary within the scope of the claims .

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus comprising:at least one processor ( 102 ) configured to execute computer program code;at least one network interface ( 106) configured to communicate with external data communication devices, whereinat least one memory ( 104 ) configured to store computer program code, which, when executed by the at least one processor ( 102 ) , is configured to cause the apparatus to :receive an identification token (200, 300, 400) of a radio frequency identification tag associated with an account for charging electric vehicles;generate an authorization request (210, 310, 410) for a roaming charging session based on the received identification token and a charging station identification;transmit the request (220, 320, 420) for the roaming charging session to at least one roaming platform;receive a response (230, 330, 430) from the at least one roaming platform; characterized in that the apparatus is further configured to :determine (240, 340, 440) , when the at least one roaming platform responds to the authorization request by an approval for the roaming charging session, that the received identification token is not unique; andassociate the account for charging electric vehicles with another radio frequency identification tag .

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor ( 102 ) , further cause the apparatus to transmit the authorization request to a roaming platformconfigured to process roaming requests for one or more charging providers .

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor ( 102 ) , further cause the apparatus to transmit the authorization request to one or more charging providers .

4. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 - 3, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor ( 102 ) , further cause the apparatus to receive the identification token of the radio frequency identification tag as a part of a request to associate new radio frequency identification tag with the account for charging electric vehicles .

5. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 - 4, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor ( 102 ) , further cause the apparatus to receive the identification token of the radio frequency identification tag as a response to an incident report .

6. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 - 5, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor ( 102 ) , further cause the apparatus to generate the authorization request for the charging session using a dummy charging station identification.

7. A system comprising:an apparatus according to any of preceding claims 1 - 7 ; andat least one roaming platform.

8. A method for determining uniqueness of an identification token of a radio frequency identificationtag associated with an account for charging electric vehicles, wherein the method comprises :receiving an identification token (200, 300, 400) of a radio frequency identification tag associated with an account for charging electric vehicles;generating an authorization request (210, 310, 410) for a roaming charging session based on the received identification token and a charging station identification;transmitting the authorization request (220, 320, 420 ) for the roaming charging session to at least one roaming platform;receiving a response (230, 330, 430) from the at least one roaming platform; andcharacterized in that the apparatus is further configured to :determining (230, 330, 430) , when the at least one roaming platform responds to the authorization request by an approval for the roaming charging session, that the received identification token is not unique; andassociating the account for charging electric vehicles with another radio frequency identification tag .

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein transmitting the authorization request to a roaming platform configured to process roaming requests for one or more charging providers .

10. A method according to claim 8 or 9, receiving the identification token of the radio frequency identification tag as a part of a request to associate new radio frequency identification tag with an account for charging electric vehicles .

11. A method according to any of claims 9 - 11, wherein receiving the identification token of the radio frequency identification tag as a response to an incident report .

12. A method according to any of claims 9 - 12, generating the authorization request for the charging session using a dummy charging station identification.

13. A computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a computing device, are configured to cause performing a method according to any of preceding claims 8 - 12.

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