Methods and apparatus for identifying a grid connection point using a tag
First Claim
1. A plug-in vehicle for connection to a charging station having a station connector, comprising:
- an electric storage unit for storing electric power from the charging station;
a plug-in vehicle connector configured to connect to the charging station for storage of the electric power in the electric storage unit; and
an identification reader that is coupled to the plug-in vehicle connector for reading a unique identifier presented by the charging station,wherein the identification reader includes an RFID reader that is configured to;
read an RFID tag associated with the charging station to acquire the unique identifier of the charging station when positioned in an operational range of the RFID tag,broadcast a transmission to acquire unique identifiers of charging stations and receive, from each respective charging station receiving the broadcast transmission, a return transmission indicating a unique identifier of the respective charging station, andthe RFID reader further includes;
a signal level measurement unit that measures return signal strength of each return transmission from a respective charging station; and
a closest charging station determination unit for determining a closest charging station based on the measured returned signal strength of each return transmission.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical outlet, an electrical outlet cover for use with an electrical outlet and methods of identifying a grid connection point for bill processing of a charging event and managing energy services are disclosed. The electrical outlet cover includes a cover unit having a receptacle opening configured to align with a receptacle of the electric outlet and an identification unit configured to present a unique identification that is associated with the electrical outlet. In an embodiment, a method includes establishing an identity tag at a grid connection point (GCP) that unique identifies the GCP, receiving identity tag information to uniquely identify the GCP and monitoring charge event information indicating attributes of the charging event. The method further includes associating the charge event information with the identity tag information, as associated information; and sending the associated information for reconciliation of billing accounts associated with the GCP and the mobile charging device.
64 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A plug-in vehicle for connection to a charging station having a station connector, comprising:
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an electric storage unit for storing electric power from the charging station; a plug-in vehicle connector configured to connect to the charging station for storage of the electric power in the electric storage unit; and an identification reader that is coupled to the plug-in vehicle connector for reading a unique identifier presented by the charging station, wherein the identification reader includes an RFID reader that is configured to; read an RFID tag associated with the charging station to acquire the unique identifier of the charging station when positioned in an operational range of the RFID tag, broadcast a transmission to acquire unique identifiers of charging stations and receive, from each respective charging station receiving the broadcast transmission, a return transmission indicating a unique identifier of the respective charging station, and the RFID reader further includes; a signal level measurement unit that measures return signal strength of each return transmission from a respective charging station; and a closest charging station determination unit for determining a closest charging station based on the measured returned signal strength of each return transmission. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of managing energy services using an energy storage device powering a mobile device, comprising:
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powering the mobile device using the energy storage device when the mobile device is moving; coupling the energy storage device to an electric grid when the mobile device is stationary; controlling an operation of the energy storage device; by a first entity in response to detecting that the mobile device is moving, and by a second entity in response to detecting that the mobile device is stationary; controlling an operation of the electric grid by the second entity such that responsive to coupling of the energy storage device to the electric grid, relinquishing, by the first entity, control of the energy storage device to the second entity controlling the electric grid; broadcasting, by a RFID reader coupled to a plug-in vehicle connector of the mobile device, a transmission to acquire unique identifiers of charging stations; receiving, from each respective charging station receiving the broadcast transmission, a return transmission indicating a unique identifier of the respective charging station; measuring, by the RFID reader, return signal strength of each return transmission from a respective charging station; and determining, by the RFID reader, a closest charging station based on the measured returned signal strength of each return transmission. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of locating a charging station, comprising:
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reading, with an RFID reader that is coupled to a plug-in vehicle connector configured to connect to the charging station, an RFID tag associated with the charging station to acquire a unique identifier of the charging station when the RFID reader is positioned in an operational range of the RFID tag, broadcasting, by the RFID reader, a transmission to acquire unique identifiers of charging stations; receiving, from each respective charging station receiving the broadcast transmission, a return transmission indicating a unique identifier of the respective charging station; measuring, by the RFID reader, return signal strength of each return transmission from a respective charging station; and determining, by the RFID reader, a closest charging station based on the measured returned signal strength of each return transmission.
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16. A plug-in vehicle connector configured to connect to a charging station for storage of electric power in an electric storage unit, comprising:
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an identification reader that is coupled to the plug-in vehicle connector for reading a unique identifier presented by the charging station, wherein the identification reader includes an RFID reader that is configured to; read an RFID tag associated with the charging station to acquire the unique identifier of the charging station when positioned in an operational range of the RFID tag, broadcast a transmission to acquire unique identifiers of charging stations and receive, from each respective charging station receiving the broadcast transmission, a return transmission indicating a unique identifier of the respective charging station, and the RFID reader further includes; a signal level measurement unit that measures return signal strength of each return transmission from a respective charging station; and a closest charging station determination unit for determining a closest charging station based on the measured returned signal strength of each return transmission.
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Specification