Fluid delivery control apparatus

• US 5,359,522 A
• Filed: 05/11/1993
• Issued: 10/25/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Michael C Ryan
• Original Assignee: Michael C Ryan
• Inventors: Ryan, Michael C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZANELLI, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US08/059,508
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 364/550, 364/510, 364/551.01, 364/424.01, 364/424.03, 364/424.04, 364/464.01, 364/465, 364/401, 364/141, 364/184, 364/185, 340/933, 340/438, 340/439, 340/457.4, 340/459, 340/825.55, 340/825.54, 340/825.34, 235/378, 235/382, 235/384, 235/382.5
• US Class Current: 705/413
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/08 Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred arrangement of flow- or pressure-control valves B67D7/36; computing, calculating, counting G06; coin-freed apparatus for dispensing fluids G07F13/00; prepayment devices for metering liquids G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/145 by wireless communication means, e.g. RF, transponders or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/425 including components powered by electricity or light
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

Apparatus for two-way communication of information between a fluid container and a fluid delivery device. The fluid container has an associated first information storage and retrieval device and the fluid delivery device has an associated second information storage and retrieval device. Upon initiation of a fluid delivery transaction a communication link is established between the first and second information storage and retrieval devices and will proceed only if appropriate authorization is received by the second information storage and retrieval device. Information regarding the fuel delivery transaction may be stored on either or both of the storage and retrieval devices and may be communicated to another local or remote device for further processing.

Claims

1. Apparatus for two-way communication of information between a fluid container and a fluid delivery system, wherein the apparatus has a first information storage and retrieval device associated with the fluid delivery system in which information regarding a fluid delivery transaction is storable;

means for transmitting and receiving information between the fluid container and the fluid delivery system;

security means for authorizing delivery of fluid to the fluid container only upon the transmission from the fluid container of a first identification signal approved by the first information device; and

means associated with the fluid container for generating the first identification signal, the apparatus comprising;

(a) a second information storage and retrieval device associated with the fluid container and having means in which information regarding the fluid transaction is storable; and

(b) wherein the means for transmitting and receiving information comprises means for storing the information relative to the fluid delivery transaction in said second information device and in which information regarding the fluid delivery transaction is storable; and

(c) wherein the security means is further provided with means for discontinuing the fluid delivery transaction if the security means does not receive from the fluid container a series of identification signals transmitted throughout the fluid delivery transaction.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for communicating information regarding the fluid delivery transaction between the first information device and a remote location.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said remote location includes a credit/debit account for payment of fluid delivered in the fluid delivery transaction.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for communicating information regarding the fluid delivery transaction between said second information device and a remote location.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said remote location includes a credit/debit account for payment of fluid delivered in the fluid delivery transaction.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the fluid container is a fuel tank of a vehicle.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said second information device includes a digital memory device on which is recorded information regarding the operational history of the vehicle.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said operational history information includes information selected from the group consisting of current mileage, mileage elapsed since preceding fluid delivery, vehicle identification number, wonder of the vehicle, current hours the vehicle has operated, hours of operation of the vehicle since preceding fuel delivery, identity of operator of the vehicle, diagnostic information retrieved form a Society of Automotive Engineers J1708 Diagnostic Bus, and billing information.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the information transmitting and receiving means comprises:

(a) a first antennae in communication with the first information device;

(b) a second antennae in communication with said second information device;

(c) and wherein the first identification signal and the fluid delivery transaction information are exchanged via signals transmitted and received between said first and second antennae.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said first antenna comprises a first inductive coil communication link associated with the fluid container and said second antenna comprises a second inductive coil communication link associated with the fluid delivery system.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, further comprising:

(a) a fluid delivery orifice associated with the fluid container;

(b) a fluid delivery nozzle associated with the fluid delivery system;

(c) wherein said first inductive coil communication link is associated with said fluid delivery orifice;

(d) wherein said second inductive coil communication link is associated with said fluid delivery nozzle; and

(e) wherein said coils are in transmitting and receiving alignment and proximity when said fluid delivery nozzle is inserted into said fluid delivery orifice during said fluid delivery transaction.