Transaction-based fuel purchase authorization
First Claim
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1. A processor-implemented method comprising:
- obtaining a current fuel tank capacity for a vehicle;
transmitting the current fuel tank capacity to an authorization entity;
obtaining an authorization for dispensing a quantity of fuel not exceeding the current fuel tank capacity;
determining whether the vehicle is traveling on a predetermined route;
authorizing the vehicle to receive the authorized quantity of fuel based on compliance with the predetermined route;
receiving an updated current fuel tank capacity for the vehicle after the authorized quantity of fuel has been dispensed; and
determining whether the updated current fuel tank capacity substantially corresponds to a total fuel tank capacity for the vehicle at least in part using a processor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques for authorizing fuel purchases based on vehicle available fuel tank capacity. The authorization may be performed on a transaction basis, such that each fueling event may be independently authorized. A current fuel tank capacity for the vehicle is obtained, and transmitted to an authorization entity. An authorization is obtained for dispensing a quantity of fuel that does not exceed the current fuel tank capacity.
10 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A processor-implemented method comprising:
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obtaining a current fuel tank capacity for a vehicle; transmitting the current fuel tank capacity to an authorization entity; obtaining an authorization for dispensing a quantity of fuel not exceeding the current fuel tank capacity; determining whether the vehicle is traveling on a predetermined route; authorizing the vehicle to receive the authorized quantity of fuel based on compliance with the predetermined route; receiving an updated current fuel tank capacity for the vehicle after the authorized quantity of fuel has been dispensed; and determining whether the updated current fuel tank capacity substantially corresponds to a total fuel tank capacity for the vehicle at least in part using a processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 33, 34)
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24. A processor-implemented method comprising:
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calculating, at least in part using a processor, a current fuel tank capacity for a vehicle based on a difference between a previously known fuel tank level for the vehicle and a calculated fuel consumption based at least on estimated fuel consumption rate and distance traveled; providing the calculated current fuel tank capacity to an authorization module; receiving an authorization of a quantity of authorized fuel from the authorization module; making the authorization of the quantity of authorized fuel available at the vehicle to limit a quantity of dispensed fuel to the quantity of authorized fuel; determining whether the vehicle is traveling on a predetermined route; authorizing the vehicle to receive the authorized quantity of fuel based on compliance with the predetermined route; receiving an updated current fuel tank capacity for the vehicle after the authorized quantity of fuel has been dispensed; and determining whether the updated current fuel tank capacity substantially corresponds to a total fuel tank capacity for the vehicle.
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25. An apparatus comprising:
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a receiver configured to receive a fuel tank level indication for a fuel tank in a vehicle; storage to at least temporarily store a total fuel tank capacity of the fuel tank; a processor configured to; calculate a quantity of fuel that would fill the fuel tank based on at least the fuel tank level indication and the total fuel tank capacity of the fuel tank, and determine whether the vehicle is traveling on a predetermined route; and a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit an authorization request to an authorization entity to obtain authorization to purchase fuel for no more than the quantity of fuel that would fill the fuel tank, wherein the receiver is configured to receive an updated current fuel tank capacity for the vehicle after the authorized quantity of fuel has been dispensed and the processor is configured to authorize the vehicle to receive the authorized quantity of fuel based on compliance with the predetermined route and determine whether the updated current fuel tank capacity substantially corresponds to a total fuel tank capacity for the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. An apparatus comprising:
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means for obtaining a current fuel tank capacity for a vehicle; means for transmitting the current fuel tank capacity to an authorization entity; means for obtaining an authorization for dispensing a quantity of fuel not exceeding the current fuel tank capacity; means for determining whether the vehicle is traveling on a predetermined route; means for authorizing the vehicle to receive the authorized quantity of fuel based on compliance with the predetermined route; means for receiving an updated current fuel tank capacity for the vehicle after the authorized quantity of fuel has been dispensed; and means for determining whether the updated current fuel tank capacity substantially corresponds to a total fuel tank capacity for the vehicle.
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31. A non transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon which are executable by a computer system for performing steps comprising:
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obtaining a current fuel tank capacity for a vehicle; transmitting the current fuel tank capacity to an authorization entity; obtaining an authorization for dispensing a quantity of fuel not exceeding the current fuel tank capacity; determining whether the vehicle is traveling on a predetermined route; authorizing the vehicle to receive the authorized quantity of fuel based on compliance with the predetermined route; receiving an updated current fuel tank capacity for the vehicle after the authorized quantity of fuel has been dispensed; and determining whether the updated current fuel tank capacity substantially corresponds to a total fuel tank capacity for the vehicle.
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32. A system comprising:
an onboard computing device on a vehicle, comprising; a receiver configured to receive a fuel tank level indication for a fuel tank in a vehicle; storage to at least temporarily store a total fuel tank capacity of the fuel tank; a processor configured to; calculate a quantity of fuel that would fill the fuel tank based on at least the fuel tank level indication and the total fuel tank capacity of the fuel tank, and determine whether the vehicle is traveling on a predetermined route; a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit an authorization request to an authorization entity to obtain authorization to purchase fuel for no more than the quantity of fuel that would fill the fuel tank; and a fuel dispensing mechanism coupled to receive the authorization to purchase fuel for no more than the quantity of fuel that would fill the fuel tank, and to disable dispensing of the fuel after the quantity of fuel that would fill the fuel tank has been dispensed, wherein the receiver is configured to receive an updated current fuel tank capacity for the vehicle after the authorized quantity of fuel has been dispensed and the processor is configured to authorize the vehicle to receive the authorized quantity of fuel based on compliance with the predetermined route and determine whether the updated current fuel tank capacity substantially corresponds to a total fuel tank capacity for the vehicle.
Specification