METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN AUTOMATED FUEL AUTHORIZATION PROGRAM FOR FUEL TERMINALS USING A CAMERA AS PART OF THE AUTHORIZATION PROCESS
First Claim
7. A module to be installed at a fuel lane to enable the fuel lane to participate in a fuel authorization program, the module comprising:
- (a) a housing;
(b) a video camera to detect a vehicle entering the fuel lane;
(c) a radio frequency (RF) transmitter for establishing an RF data link between the fuel lane and the vehicle disposed in the lane; and
(d) a controller for implementing the following functions;
(i) in response to detecting the vehicle using the video camera, automatically establishing an RF communication link with the vehicle to verify that the vehicle is enrolled in a fuel authorization program; and
(ii) after verifying that the vehicle is enrolled in the fuel authorization program, conveying a request to enable fuel delivery at the fuel lane to a fuel pump controller.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel authorization system enables data to be exchanged between vehicles and a fuel vendor, to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Each fuel island is equipped with a camera and a short range radio (RF) component. Participating vehicles are equipped with fuel authorization component including an IR transmitter and a RF component that can establish a data link with the fuel island'"'"'s RF unit. When the camera senses a vehicle in the fuel lane, an RF query is sent to the vehicle. Participating vehicles respond with an IR transmission. An RF data link is then established between the enrolled vehicle and the fuel vendor to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Once the verification is complete, the fuel dispenser is enabled. In some embodiments, the IR data link is not required, as the camera can distinguish between multiple fuel lanes.
36 Citations
18 Claims
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7. A module to be installed at a fuel lane to enable the fuel lane to participate in a fuel authorization program, the module comprising:
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(a) a housing; (b) a video camera to detect a vehicle entering the fuel lane; (c) a radio frequency (RF) transmitter for establishing an RF data link between the fuel lane and the vehicle disposed in the lane; and (d) a controller for implementing the following functions; (i) in response to detecting the vehicle using the video camera, automatically establishing an RF communication link with the vehicle to verify that the vehicle is enrolled in a fuel authorization program; and (ii) after verifying that the vehicle is enrolled in the fuel authorization program, conveying a request to enable fuel delivery at the fuel lane to a fuel pump controller. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A fuel island for refueling a vehicle, the fuel island comprising:
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(a) a fuel dispensing device; (b) a video camera for detecting the presence of a vehicle proximate the fuel dispensing device; (c) an infrared (IR) receiver for receiving an IR transmission from a vehicle disposed proximate the fuel dispensing device; (c) a radio frequency (RF) component for establishing an RF data link between the fuel lane and a vehicle disposed proximate the fuel dispensing device; and (d) a controller that implements the following functions; (i) in response to the camera detecting the presence of a vehicle proximate the fuel dispensing, using the RF component to direct an RF query to the vehicle disposed proximate the fuel dispensing device; and (ii) in response to receiving an IR transmission from the vehicle disposed proximate the fuel dispensing device, establishing an RF communication link with the vehicle to acquire data to verify that the vehicle is enrolled in a fuel authorization program. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15-1. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving the IR transmission from the vehicle comprises the step of automatically using the video camera to receive the IR transmission.
Specification