System for communication with a vehicle in close proximity to a fixed service port

• US 20040095230A1
• Filed: 11/14/2002
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Hydrogen Corporation (Plug Power Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Hydrogen Corporation (Plug Power Inc.)
• Inventors: Jenner, Bruce Stephen, Christensen, Henrik Thorning, Li, Edward Wing Ping, Mufford, William Edward, Robin, Curtis Michael
• Granted Patent: US 6,822,551 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/426.16
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2007/0442 interface for orders and payments
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2007/0455 recognising the position
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0401 arrangements for automatically fuelling vehicles, i.e. without human intervention
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/348 by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder B67D7/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0234 using optical markers or beacons optical beacons per se G01S1/70
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0255 using acoustic signals, e.g. ultra-sonic singals sonar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S15/93
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/028 using a RF signal

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the purpose of ensuring positioning between a fixed automatic fueling service terminal and a vehicle, such that the vehicle is identified within a close range and authorized to dock at an identified service terminal to exchange services. This is accomplished by wirelessly determining the proximity of a couplable vehicle, with respect to a docking location at the service terminal. When a vehicle is within a specified distance of an automatic fueling service terminal, known as the zone of proximity detection, the vehicle identification code and service terminal identification code are both continuously determined and passed to a multi-port station controller, for authentication of service transactions and secure service processes, including automatically fueling the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method of detecting, identifying, authorizing, and polling a vehicle for the purpose of initiating and maintaining an automated coupling and interchange of fuels and services between a fixed service port containing a wireless transceiver, and a couplable vehicle containing a transponder, in which said couplable vehicle is within a zone of proximity detection, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting a location of a vehicle with respect to a fixed service port;

identifying the vehicle by means of reading a unique identification number;

authorizing the initiation of a service interchange sequence;

polling the identifier on a vehicle for the purpose of monitoring during service interchange sequence; and

communicating proximity data for coupling or service exchange processes through a controller located at a fixed service port.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the steps of identifying and authorizing include combining and processing of identification codes of the vehicle with those of the fixed service port, at the fixed service port.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the step of processing includes the step of accessing a local database to determine vehicle authorization status.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the step of processing includes the step of establishing a communications link with a remote database to determine vehicle authorization status.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the steps of detecting and identifying include transmitting a wireless signal of constrained shape and range for establishing a zone of proximity detection, from the fixed service port to the vehicle, and receiving a wireless signal from a transponder located on the vehicle, by the fixed service port.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein said zone of proximity detection significantly overlaps a coupling range for the vehicle.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of polling includes the step of polling a vehicle identifier from a fixed service port.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the step of polling includes the step of monitoring vehicle identity from a fixed service port.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the steps of detecting and identifying include transmitting a wireless signal of constrained shape and range for establishing a zone of proximity detection, from the fixed service port to the vehicle, and receiving a wireless signal from a wireless transceiver located on the vehicle, by the fixed service port.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein said zone of proximity detection significantly overlaps a coupling range for the vehicle.

11. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the steps of identifying and authorizing include combining and processing identification codes of the vehicle and the fixed service port.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the step of processing includes the step of accessing a local database to determine vehicle authorization status.

13. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the step of processing includes the step of establishing a communications link with a remote database to determine vehicle authorization status.

14. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein each step of detecting, identifying, authorizing, and polling includes the step of the transmission of process control data from the vehicle to the fixed service port.

15. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the step of polling includes the step of polling a vehicle identifier from a fixed service port.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the step of polling includes the step of monitoring vehicle identity from a fixed service port.

17. A system for detecting, identifying, authorizing, and polling a couplable vehicle having a transponder located at a defined location on said couplable vehicle for the purpose of initiating and maintaining an automated coupling and interchange of fuels and services between said couplable vehicle and a fixed service port in which said couplable vehicle is within a zone of proximity detection from said fixed service port, comprising:

a fixed service port comprising a wireless transceiver system located at a defined location at the fixed service port that transmits a signal constrained in range and radiation pattern and is capable of receiving a vehicle transponder response for establishing a zone of proximity detection in a fixed relative position to a couplable range;

a controller associated with the fixed service port and connected to the wireless transceiver system for controlling the data flow and processing required for the detecting, identifying, authorizing, and polling of a couplable vehicle within couplable range.

18. A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein said transponder is a passive device.

19. A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein said transponder is a wireless transceiver.

20. A system as claimed in claim 17 including a database for storing records of vehicle authorization status.

21. A system as claimed in claim 17 including a network access device for retrieval of vehicle authorization status.

22. A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein said controller performs the function of combining the sensed vehicle identification code and associated port identification code into a combined vehicle-port identification code.

23. A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein said controller performs the functions of accessing at least one of local and remote databases for the purpose of vehicle authorizing, utilizing said combined vehicle-port identification code.

24. A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein said wireless transceiver system includes one or more of optical, radio, microwave, and acoustical and ultrasonic transducers for the purpose of interrogating a corresponding vehicle transponder responsive to the selected transducer.

25. A method of detecting, identifying, authorizing, and polling a port and a vehicle for the purpose of initiating and maintaining an automated coupling and interchange of fuels and services between a couplable vehicle containing an active wireless transceiver for establishing a zone of proximity detection, and a fixed service port containing a transponder and a wireless access port, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting a location of a port with respect to a couplable vehicle;

identifying the port by means of a unique identification number located in a transponder;

authorizing the initiation of a service interchange sequence;

polling the transponder on a port for the purpose of monitoring during service interchange sequence; and

communicating proximity data for coupling or service exchange processes through a controller located on a vehicle.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25 wherein the steps of identifying and authorizing include combining and processing of identification codes of the vehicle with those of the fixed service port, by the vehicle controller.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26 wherein the step of processing includes the step of transmitting a wireless signal from the vehicle wireless system to the fixed access port.

28. A method as claimed in claim 26 wherein the step of processing includes the step of accessing a local database through a second wireless transceiver to determine vehicle authorization status.

29. A method as claimed in claim 26 wherein the step of processing includes the step of establishing a communications link with a remote database to determine vehicle authorization status.

30. A method as claimed in claim 25 wherein the steps of detecting and identifying include transmitting a wireless signal of constrained pattern and range for establishing a zone of proximity detection, from the vehicle to the fixed service port, and receiving a wireless signal from a transponder located on the fixed service port, by a vehicle.

31. A method as claimed in claim 30 wherein said zone of proximity detection significantly overlaps a coupling range for the vehicle.

32. A method as claimed in claim 25 wherein the step of polling includes the step of polling vehicle and port identification codes by a vehicle.

33. A method as claimed in claim 32 wherein the step of polling includes the step of wireless transmission of vehicle and port status from the vehicle to the fixed service port.

34. A method as claimed in claim 25 wherein the steps of detecting and identifying include transmitting a wireless signal of constrained pattern and range for establishing a zone of proximity detection, from the vehicle to the fixed service port, and receiving a wireless signal from a wireless transceiver located on the fixed service port, by the vehicle.

35. A method as claimed in claim 34 wherein said zone of proximity detection significantly overlaps a coupling range for the vehicle.

36. A method as claimed in claim 34 wherein the steps of identifying and authorizing include combining and processing identification codes of the vehicle with the identification codes of the fixed service port into a combined vehicle-port identification codes.

37. A method as claimed in claim 36 wherein the step of processing includes the step of accessing a local database to determine vehicle authorization status, utilizing said combined vehicle-port identification codes.

38. A method as claimed in claim 37 wherein the step of processing includes the step of establishing a communications link with a remote database to determine vehicle authorization status, utilizing said combined vehicle-port identification codes.

39. A method as claimed in claim 34 wherein each step of detecting, identifying, authorizing, and polling includes the step of transmitting process control data from the fixed service port to the vehicle.

40. A method as claimed in claim 35 wherein the step of polling includes the step of polling the fixed service port from the vehicle.

41. A method as claimed in claim 40 wherein the step of polling includes the step of wireless transmission of vehicle and port proximity detection status from the vehicle to the fixed service port.

42. A system for detecting, identifying, authorizing, and polling a couplable vehicle and a fixed service port having a transponder located at a defined location on said fixed service port, including a port controller, for the purpose of initiating and maintaining an automated coupling and interchange of fuels and services between a couplable vehicle and a fixed service port in which said fixed service port is within a zone of proximity detection from said couplable vehicle, comprising:

a couplable vehicle having a first wireless transceiver system located at a defined location which transmits a signal constrained in range and radiation pattern and is capable of receiving a port transponder response, to form a zone of proximity detection in a fixed relative position to a couplable range; and

a second wireless transceiver system located on said couplable vehicle for the purpose of communicating with the fixed service port; and

a controller located on the couplable vehicle and connected to the first and second wireless transceivers, for controlling the data flow and processing required for the detecting, identifying, authorizing, and polling of said couplable vehicle.

43. A system as claimed in claim 42 wherein said transponder is a passive device.

44. A system as claimed in claim 42 wherein said transponder is a wireless transceiver.

45. A system as claimed in claim 42 including a local database for storing records of vehicle authorization status, accessible to the second wireless transceiver system.

46. A system as claimed in claim 42 including a network access device accessible to the second wireless transceiver system for retrieval of vehicle authorization status.

47. A system as claimed in claim 42 wherein said controller performs the function of combining vehicle identification codes and port identification codes, to produce a combined vehicle-port identification codes.

48. A system as claimed in claim 42 wherein said controller performs the functions of accessing at least one of local and remote databases for the purpose of vehicle authorizing, utilizing the combined vehicle-port identification codes.

49. A system as claimed in claim 42 including a controller associated with the fixed service port for controlling the data flow and processing required for the detecting, identifying, authorizing, and polling of a vehicle within couplable range.

50. A system as claimed in claim 42 including a third wireless system located at the fixed service port for the purpose of communicating with the couplable vehicle.

51. A system as claimed in claim 42 wherein said first wireless transceiver system includes one or more of optical, radio, microwave, acoustical and ultrasonic transducers for the purpose of interrogating a corresponding vehicle transponder responsive to the selected transducer.

52. A method of detecting, identifying, authorizing, and polling a vehicle or a port for the purpose of initiating and maintaining an automated coupling and interchange of fuels and services between a couplable vehicle and one of a number of fixed service ports, in which said couplable vehicle is within a zone of proximity detection, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting a location of a couplable vehicle with respect to one of a number of fixed service ports;

identifying the vehicle or the port or both by means of reading identification numbers;

authorizing the initiation of a service interchange sequence;

polling the identifier on the vehicle and the port for the purpose of monitoring during service interchange sequence; and

communicating the proximity data for coupling or service exchange processes through a central controller located at a fixed station.

53. A method as claimed in claim 52 wherein the number of fixed service ports is two.

54. A method as claimed in claim 52 wherein each step of identifying and authorizing includes the step of establishing a communications link with a remote database to determine vehicle authorization status.

55. A method as claimed in claim 52 wherein the steps of detecting and identifying include the inhibiting of all ports other than the selected port from any form of interchange or connection with said vehicle.

56. A method as claimed in claim 52 wherein the steps of detecting and identifying are confined to wireless zones of proximity detection which are constrained in shape, range, frequency, coding, and modulation such that no other vehicles or ports can communicate with said vehicle or said fixed service port, or one another.

57. A method as claimed in claim 52 wherein all information is transmitted wirelessly from the vehicle to the fixed station.

58. A method as claimed in claim 52 wherein the number of fixed service ports is greater than two.

59. A method as claimed in claim 52 wherein the steps of identifying and authorizing include the step of reading a unique vehicle identification code.

60. A method as claimed in claim 52 wherein each step of identifying and authorizing includes the step of reading a non-unique vehicle identification code in which vehicle identification is limited to vehicle type or make.

61. A system for detecting, identifying, authorizing, and polling a couplable vehicle for the purpose of initiating and maintaining an automated coupling and interchange of fuels and services between said vehicle and one of a multiplicity of fixed service ports at a station in which said vehicle is within a zone of proximity detection from one of said fixed service ports, comprising:

a wireless transceiver system located at a defined location at each fixed service port for transmitting a signal constrained in range and radiation pattern for establishing a zone of proximity detection which significantly overlaps a couplable range;

a transponder located at a defined location on the couplable vehicle;

a controller associated with each said fixed service port; and

a station controller located at the station and linked to port controllers at all station ports and couplable vehicles within couplable range for overall monitoring and control of all fixed service ports located at the station and all vehicles within couplable range.

62. A system as claimed in claim 61 wherein said transponder is a passive device.

63. A system as claimed in claim 61 wherein said transponder is a wireless transceiver.

64. A system as claimed in claim 61 wherein said station controller includes modules for constraining a single vehicle identification code to have a unique association with only one fixed service port identification code at any one instance.

65. A system as claimed in claim 61 including modules for limiting said wireless transceiver systems to communications with a single couplable vehicle at any one instance.

66. A system as claimed in claim 61 wherein one of associated controller and said station controller performs the function of combining vehicle identification codes and port identification codes.

67. A system as claimed in claim 61 wherein one of said associated controller or said station controller performs the functions of accessing at least one of local and remote databases for the purpose of vehicle authorizing.

68. A system as claimed in claim 61, including a database accessible to one of said associated controller or said station controller, for storing records of vehicle authorization status.

69. A system as claimed in claim 61, including a network access device for retrieval of vehicle authorization status.

70. A system as claimed in claim 61 wherein said wireless transceiver system includes one or more of optical, radio, microwave, acoustical and ultrasonic transducers for the purpose of interrogating a corresponding vehicle transponder responsive to the selected transducer.

71. A system for detecting, identifying, authorizing, and polling a couplable vehicle and a fixed service port for the purpose of initiating and maintaining an automated coupling and interchange of fuels and services between said couplable vehicle and one of a multiplicity of fixed service ports at a station in which said fixed service port is within a zone of proximity detection from a vehicle, comprising:

a wireless transceiver system located at a defined first location on each said couplable vehicle that transmits a signal constrained in range and radiation pattern for establishing a zone of proximity detection which significantly overlaps a couplable range;

a transponder located at a defined location on each fixed service port;

a controller associated with each said fixed service port;

a station controller located at the station and linked to port controllers at all station ports and couplable vehicles within couplable range for overall monitoring and control of all fixed service ports located at the station and all vehicles within couplable range;

a vehicle controller located on each couplable vehicle for controlling the data flow and processing required for the detecting, identifying, authorizing, and polling of a vehicle;

a second wireless system located on a couplable vehicle for the purpose of communications between said vehicle controllers and the station; and

a wireless access port located at the station for the purpose of communications between couplable vehicles and the station controller.

72. A system as claimed in claim 71 wherein said transponder is a passive device.

73. A system as claimed in claim 71 wherein said transponder is a wireless transceiver.

74. A system as claimed in claim 71 wherein said station controller includes modules for constraining a single vehicle identification code to have a unique association with only one fixed service port identification code at any one time.

75. A system as claimed in claim 71 including modules for limiting said wireless transceiver systems to communications with a single fixed access port at any one instance.

76. A system as claimed in claim 71, including a database for storing records of vehicle authorization status.

77. A system as claimed in claim 71 wherein one of said associated controller, vehicle controller and station controller performs the function of combining vehicle and port identification codes.

78. A system as claimed in claim 71 wherein one of said associated controller, vehicle controller and station controller performs the functions of accessing at least one of local and remote databases for the purpose of vehicle authorizing.

79. A system as claimed in claim 71, including a network access device connected to one of said station controller, vehicle controller or associated controller for retrieval of vehicle authorization status.

80. A system as claimed in claim 71 wherein said wireless transceiver system includes one or more of optical, radio, microwave, acoustical and ultrasonic transducers for the purpose of interrogating a corresponding vehicle transponder responsive to the selected transducer.