FUEL MONITORING APPARATUS AND METHODS
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel monitoring device for a vehicle having one or more fuel tank sensors, the fuel monitoring device comprising a control module in communication with the or each fuel tank sensor, wherein the control module is operable to receive data from the or each fuel tank sensor and operable to output fuel level related data to a mobile communications system transmitter for transmission to an end user. The fuel monitoring device may be installed covertly within a vehicle and communicate with the vehicle'"'"'s fuel tank sensor and, optionally, further sensors. The fuel monitoring device facilitates the transmission of information to an end user allowing the end user to identify occurrences of fuel theft from a remote location and/or the fuel monitoring device is operable to generate an alarm condition in or in the proximity of the vehicle. Data may additionally be audited to identify opportunities to improve operating efficiency of a vehicle, or a fleet of vehicles, or to provide early warning of possible vehicle faults and/or to identify fuel theft.
45 Citations
83 Claims
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1-56. -56. (canceled)
- 57. A fuel monitoring device for a vehicle having one or more fuel tank sensors, the fuel monitoring device comprising a control module in communication with the or each fuel tank sensor, wherein the control module is operable to receive data from the or each fuel tank sensor, and operable to output fuel level related data to a mobile communications system transmitter for transmission to an end user.
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78. A vehicle having a fuel tank sensor and a fuel monitoring device, the fuel monitoring device comprising a control module in communication with the or each fuel tank sensor, wherein the control module is operable to receive data from the or each fuel tank sensor, and operable to output fuel level related data to a mobile communications system transmitter for transmission to an end user.
- 79. A method of detecting fuel theft, comprising the steps of monitoring the fuel level of a vehicle by taking readings from the or each fuel level sensor of the vehicle and comparing data related to the fuel level of the vehicle against one or more fuel theft conditions.
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83. A fuel dispensing pump operable to communicate wirelessly with a fuel monitoring device located within a vehicle to receive fuel level related data concerning the vehicle, comprising a control system for metering the quantity of fuel dispensed, the fuel dispensing pump operable to stop dispensing fuel under one or more of the following circumstances:
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a volume of fuel in excess of the available fuel tank capacity, determined from the fuel level related data has been dispensed; the fuel level related data wirelessly received from the fuel monitoring device meets a fuel theft condition;
orthe fuel level related data wirelessly received from the fuel monitoring device meets an alarm condition.
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Specification