FUEL-FILL AREA DATA PORT

• US 20120197460A1
• Filed: 01/27/2011
• Published: 08/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Seymour, Shafer, Gee, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,924,037 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/145 by wireless communication means, e.g. RF, transponders or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/348 by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder B67D7/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/04 in which the quantity mechanism is set forward automatically by the insertion of a coin
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/22 by structural association with other equipment or articles
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication

Abstract

Near field communications devices provide wireless connectivity between vehicles and fueling stations by which vehicle fuel-related information can be exchanged. The exchanged information can include the type of fuel required by the vehicle and thus reduce the likelihood of an improper fuel being introduced to the vehicle. Vehicle fuel related information also includes an amount of fuel required to fill the vehicle'"'"'s fuel reservoir, an amount of fuel required for the vehicle to travel to a particular location or distance, an amount of fuel received during previous refueling sessions, the identity of the vehicle, and vehicle operator fueling preferences. It can also include the location of the vehicle relative to a fueling station or fuel pump.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle comprising:

a near field communications device, capable of wirelessly transferring vehicle fuel information, the near field communications device being attached to the motor vehicle and communicating with a controller within the vehicle.

2. The motor vehicle of claim 1 wherein the near field communications device is configured to be capable of providing radio frequency communications to distances limited to less than about 50 centimeters.

3. The motor vehicle of claim 1 wherein the near field communications device is configured to be incapable of providing radio frequency communications with devices located beyond a distance of about 1 meter.

4. The motor vehicle of claim 1 wherein the vehicle fuel information is comprised of at least one of:

the motor vehicle'"'"'s proximity to a fueling station;

a type of fuel required by the vehicle;

an amount of fuel required to fully fuel the vehicle;

an amount of fuel required for the vehicle to travel a particular distance;

an amount of fuel received during a previous fueling;

the identity of the vehicle; and

the price of the fuel.

5. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle fuel information includes vehicle operator fueling preferences.

6. The motor vehicle of claim 1 wherein the vehicle fuel information is comprised of vehicle battery characteristics.

7. The motor vehicle of claim 1 wherein the near field communications device is at least compliant with ISO/IEC standard 14443, published 2008, and derivatives thereof.

8. A fueling station comprised of:

a near field communications device, capable of wirelessly exchanging fueling information with a motor vehicle having a compatible near field communications device, the near field communications device being proximate to a fueling device.

9. The fueling station of claim 8, wherein the fueling device is at least one of:

a liquid fuel delivery nozzle;

a gaseous fuel delivery nozzle; and

a battery charger.

10. The fueling station of claim 8, wherein the fueling device is a replacement battery.

11. The fueling station of claim 8, wherein the near field communications device is positioned at a predetermined location relative to the location of the fueling station.

12. The fueling station of claim 8, wherein the near field communications device is configured to detect when a vehicle is optimally positioned for refueling.

13. The fueling station of claim 8, further comprising a data network interface, the data network interface being configured to provide data communications to the fueling station.

14. The fueling station of claim 8, wherein the near field communications device is configured to transmit radio frequency signals carrying information comprised of at least one of:

fuel type;

fuel cost; and

a payment method accepted by the fueling station.

15. The motor vehicle of claim 8, wherein the vehicle fuel information includes vehicle operator fueling preferences obtained from at least one of:

the vehicle;

a network; and

the fueling station.

16. A motor vehicle fueling system comprised of:

a first near field radio frequency communications device attached to a vehicle;

a processor coupled to the first near field radio frequency communications device; and

memory coupled to the processor, the memory being configured with processor-executable program instructions, which when executed by the processor cause the first near field radio frequency communications device to transmit vehicle fueling-related information.

17. The motor vehicle fueling system of claim 16 wherein the first near field communications device is compliant with ISO/IEC standard 14443, published 2008, and derivatives thereof.

18. The motor vehicle fueling system of claim 17, wherein the first near field radio frequency communications device is configured to transmit vehicle fueling-related information comprised of at least one of:

the motor vehicle'"'"'s proximity to a fueling station;

a type of fuel required by the vehicle;

an amount of fuel required to fully fuel the vehicle;

an amount of fuel required for the vehicle to travel a particular distance;

an amount of fuel received during a previous fueling;

the identity of the vehicle; and

the price of the fuel.

19. The motor vehicle fueling system of claim 17, wherein the vehicle fueling-related information includes vehicle operator fueling preferences.

20. The motor vehicle of claim 17 wherein the vehicle fueling-related information is comprised of vehicle battery characteristics.

21. The motor vehicle of claim 20, wherein a vehicle battery characteristic is comprised of at least one of:

charge remaining in a vehicle battery;

a vehicle battery voltage rating;

a vehicle battery current rating;

a type of vehicle battery technology.