System and Method for Autorizing Purchases Associated with a Vehicle

• US 20090289113A1
• Filed: 10/24/2006
• Published: 11/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gasngo R&D Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Petratec International Ltd.
• Inventors: Weitzhandler, Shimon, Yalon, Avi, Vilnai, Yoav
• Granted Patent: US 8,292,168 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/381
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/34 Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for authorizing purchases associated with a vehicle for example at a service station, the system including an identification tag associated with the vehicle, a data storage device associated with the vehicle for storing vehicular data, at least one tag reader configured to read and transmit data from the identification tag and a station relay unit configured to receive the transmitted and to transmit an authorization signal. Disclosed is also a method of authorizing a purchase associated with a vehicle, for example at a service station, comprising associating with a first identifier and a second identifier with a vehicle, when requested to authorize a purchase associated with said vehicle, acquiring the first identifier and the second identifier, determining that the acquired first and second identifiers are correctly associated and if the first acquired identifier and said second acquired identifier are associated, authorizing the purchase.

Claims

1. A system for authorizing purchases associated with a vehicle comprising:

an identification tag associated with the vehicle for storing tag data associated with the vehicle;

a data storage device associated with the vehicle for storing vehicular data and configured to transmit said vehicular data;

at least one tag reader configured to read and transmit said tag data; and

a station relay unit configured to receive said transmitted vehicular data and said transmitted tag data and to transmit an authorization signal.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said identification tag is fixed on the vehicle.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said identification tag is fixed on the vehicle proximal to a fuel inlet of the vehicle.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said identification tag is a passive device configured to allow reading of said tag data by said tag reader.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the tag data includes at least one member of the group consisting of identity of said identification tag, identity of said data storage device, a vehicle identification number, a vehicle user identification number, a serial identification number, a client identification number, payment information, credit account information, credit rating information, offline credit rating information, vehicle particulars, fuel tank capacity, fuel supply policy, fraud information, and required fuel particulars for the vehicle.

6. A system according to claim 2, wherein the tag data is rendered unreadable upon detachment of said identification tag from the vehicle.

7. A system according to claim 1, said data storage device configured to receive communication from said station relay unit, and to transmit said vehicular data upon receipt of said communication from said station relay unit.

8. A system according to claim 1, said vehicular data including data related with driver operation of the vehicle.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein said data storage device is configured to store at least one member of the group consisting of identity of said data storage device, identity of said identification tag, a vehicle identification number, a vehicle user identification number, a serial identification number, a client identification number, payment information, credit account information, credit rating information, offline credit rating information, vehicle particulars, fuel tank capacity, fuel supply policy, fraud information, and required fuel particulars for the vehicle.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein said data storage device further comprises a passive device configured to allow reading of auxiliary data stored thereon.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein said auxiliary data stored includes at least one member of the group consisting of identity of said identification tag, identity of said data storage device, a vehicle identification number, a vehicle user identification number, a serial identification number, a client identification number, payment information, credit account information, credit rating information, offline credit rating information, vehicle particulars, fuel tank capacity, fuel supply policy, fraud information, and required fuel particulars for the vehicle.

12. A system according to claim 1, said data storage device including an autonomous power source.

13. A system according to claim 1, said tag reader comprising a wireless transmitter to transmit said tag data to said station relay unit.

14. A system according to claim 13, said tag reader comprising a wireless transceiver to receive communication from said station relay unit.

15. A system according to claim 1, said tag reader further configured to transmit a substantially unique tag reader identifier.

16. A system according to claim 1, said tag reader further configured to receive said transmitted vehicular data and to retransmit said transmitted vehicular data.

17. A system according to claim 1, wherein said tag reader includes an autonomous power source.

18. The system according to claim 1, wherein said tag reader is associated with a fuel dispenser.

19. A system according to claim 18, wherein components of said tag reader are located in proximity of a fuel dispensing nozzle of said fuel dispenser.

20. A system according to claim 19, wherein said tag reader is configured to read said tag data when said fuel dispensing nozzle engages a fuel inlet of the vehicle.

21. A system according to claim 1, wherein said tag reader is associated with a fuel dispenser outlet, said system further comprising a fuel inlet sensor for sensing when said fuel dispenser outlet engages a fuel inlet of the vehicle.

22. A system according to claim 1 further comprising a portable identification tag associated with the vehicle, for storing tag data associated with the vehicle.

23. A system according to claim 22, further comprising a secondary tag reader configured to read said tag data from said portable identification tag and transmit said tag data to said station relay unit.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein said secondary tag reader is further configured to receive a said authorization signal and, upon receipt of said authorization signal, to authorize purchase of goods and services.

25. A system according to claim 23, wherein said transmission by said secondary tag reader to said station relay unit is wireless.

26. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a retransmitter to relay communication between said tag reader and said station relay unit.

27. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a retransmitter to relay communication between said data storage device and said station relay unit.

28. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a central control device in communication with said station relay unit, storing information associated with the vehicle, said central control device configured to receive and store said tag data and said vehicular data from said station relay unit, and based upon said received tag data, said received vehicular data and said stored information, to optionally instruct said station relay unit to transmit said authorization signal.

29. A method of authorizing a purchase associated with a vehicle, comprising:

a) associating a vehicle with a first identifier and a second identifier and storing said association with said first identifier and a second identifier in a record;

b) when requested to authorize a purchase associated with said vehicle at a venue, acquiring said first identifier and said second identifier from said vehicle;

c) determining an association of said acquired first identifier with said acquired second identifier with reference to said record using a comparator; and

d) if said first acquired identifier and said second acquired identifier are associated, authorizing said purchase.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said second identifier is actively transmitted from said vehicle to said comparator.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein said first identifier is stored in a passive device and is read from said passive device using a tag reader located at said venue, and subsequently transmitted to said comparator.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein components of said tag reader are associated with a fuel dispensing nozzle and said reading of said first identifier is during a process of refueling said vehicle.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein said second identifier is actively transmitted from said vehicle, acquired by said tag reader, and subsequently transmitted to said comparator.

34. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

e) recording driving behavior of a driver of said vehicle;

f) storing said recorded driving behavior; and

g) basing authorization of said purchase also on said recorded driving behavior.

35. A method of selling merchandise at a fuel-dispensing station comprising:

a) to each client,

i) providing a first identification tag affixed to a vehicle;

ii) providing a second identification tag; and

iii) maintaining a record associating said first identification tag, said second identification tag and a payment mechanism; and

b) when a person desires to purchase fuel for a vehicle,

iv) determining the identity of a first identification tag affixed to said vehicle and a second identification tag presented by said person;

v) by examining said record, ascertaining if said affixed first identification tag and said presented second identification tag are associated; and

vi) if said affixed first identification tag and said presented second identification tag are associated, authorizing said purchase of said fuel by said person and debiting said payment mechanism.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

c) providing a client with a portable third identification tag and maintaining a record associating said third identification tag with said first identification tag, said second identification tag and said payment mechanism; and

d) when a person desires to purchase non-fuel merchandise,

vii) determining the identity of a third identification tag and a second identification tag presented by said person;

viii) by examining said record, ascertaining if said presented third identification tag and said presented second identification tag are associated; and

ix) if said presented third identification tag and said presented second identification tag are associated, authorizing said purchase of said merchandise by said person and debiting said payment mechanism.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

c) providing a client with a portable third identification tag and maintaining a record associating said third identification tag with said first identification tag, said second identification tag and said payment mechanism; and

d) when a person desires to purchase non-fuel merchandise,

vii) determining the identity of a first tag affixed to a vehicle associated with said person, a said third identification tag and a second identification tag presented by said person;

viii) by examining said record, ascertaining if said presented third identification tag, said affixed first identification tag and said presented second identification tag are associated; and

ix) if said affixed first identification, said presented third identification tag and said presented second identification tag are associated, authorizing said purchase of said merchandise by said person and debiting said payment mechanism.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein said presented first identification tag is affixed in proximity to a fuel inlet of said vehicle and said determining the identity of said presented first tag comprises using a tag reader configured to determine the identity of a first identification tag affixed to a vehicle when a fuel dispensing nozzle is engaged to dispense fuel through a fuel inlet of a said vehicle.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein a said first tag is a passive device.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein a said second identification tag is configured to transmit data relating to use of a said vehicle recorded by a meter device.

41. The method of claim 35, wherein a said second identification tag comprises a wireless transmitter.

42. The method of claim 35, wherein determination of the identity of said presented second identification tag occurs when said second identification tag is in the immediate proximity of said vehicle.

43. The method of claim 36, wherein determination of the identity of said presented second identification tag occurs when said second identification tag is in the immediate proximity of said vehicle.