Bar code based refueling system

• US 5,700,999 A
• Filed: 07/28/1995
• Issued: 12/23/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SMF Energy Corporation
• Original Assignee: Streicher Mobile Fueling, Inc.
• Inventors: Warley, Guillermo A., Streicher, Stanley H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Thien Minh
• Application Number:
  US08/508,584
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 235/381, 235/380, 235/382, 235/382.5, 235/462, 141/98, 141/232, 141/94, 141/231
• US Class Current: 235/381
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/346 by reading a code

Abstract

A gasoline/diesel dispensing system is disclosed wherein the gasoline or diesel is provided only to authorized vehicle through the use of barcode information disposed on the vehicle. The system can be incorporated into a fixed site location or incorporated into a mobile fuel truck.

Claims

1. A system for refueling only authorized vehicles, comprising:

means for reading bar code information disposed on a vehicle to determine if said vehicle is authorized for refueling;

means for enabling a fuel pump if a valid vehicle identification is read by said means for reading;

means for disabling said fuel pump after a predetermined time period; and

means for guaranteeing the fuel pump is disabled when the system is initially powered.

2. The system for refueling of claim 1 further including means for recording a transaction of how much fuel was dispensed during the refueling of said authorized vehicle.

3. The system for refueling of claim 1 wherein said system can be used in conjunction with a fixed fuel pump or a mobile fuel truck.

4. A system for dispensing gasoline or diesel for a refueling of an authorized vehicle, comprising:

means for reading bar code information disposed on a vehicle to determine if said vehicle is authorized for refueling;

means for enabling an appropriate gasoline or diesel pump if a valid vehicle identification is read by said means for reading;

means for disabling the gasoline or diesel pump if no gasoline or diesel has been dispensed for a predetermined time period;

means for recording a transaction of how much gasoline or diesel was dispensed during the refueling of said authorized vehicle;

means for guaranteeing the gasoline or diesel pump is disabled when the system is initially powered.

5. A system for dispensing gasoline or diesel for a refueling of an authorized vehicle, comprising:

means for reading a bar code disposed on a vehicle, said bar code representing information regarding the vehicle;

computer means for determining if said vehicle associated with the bar code is authorized for refueling, said computer means operatively associated with said means for reading to received the information read by said means for reading;

means for enabling an appropriate gasoline or diesel pump when a valid vehicle identification information is received by said computer means;

means for disabling the gasoline or diesel pump if no gasoline or diesel has been dispensed for a predetermined time period;

means for recording a transaction of how much gasoline or diesel was dispensed during the refueling of said authorized vehicle;

means for guaranteeing the gasoline or diesel pump is disabled when the system is initially powered.

6. A system for dispensing gasoline or diesel for a refueling of an authorized vehicle, said system utilized in conjunction with a fixed gasoline or diesel pump or with a mobile fuel truck, said system comprising:

means for reading a bar code disposed on a vehicle, said bar code representing information regarding the vehicle;

computer means for determining if said vehicle associated with the bar code is authorized for refueling, said computer means operatively associated with said means for reading to received the information read by said means for reading;

means for enabling an appropriate gasoline or diesel pump when a valid vehicle identification information is received by said computer means;

means for disabling the gasoline or diesel pump if no gasoline or diesel has been dispensed for a predetermined time period;

cartridge means for recording a transaction of how much gasoline or diesel was dispensed during the refueling of said authorized vehicle;

display means for entering additional information regarding the authorized vehicle;

means for automatically resetting the system when the system locks up;

means for guaranteeing the gasoline or diesel pump is disabled when the system is initially powered; and

means for monitoring power being supplied to said system.

7. The system for dispensing of claim 6 wherein said system, in conjunction with a modem or phone line, can be utilized at various commercial gasoline stations nationwide to provide remote tracking of vehicle location and refueling information.

8. A method for refueling an vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) reading a bar code disposed on said vehicle;

(b) determining if said vehicle is authorized for refueling based on information represented by the bar code disposed on the vehicle;

(c) enabling a fuel pump if said vehicle is authorized;

(d) disabling the fuel pump after a predetermined amount of time; and

(e) guaranteeing the fuel pump is disabled during initial powering.

9. The method of claim 8 further including the step of recording how much fuel was dispensed during refueling of said vehicle.

10. The method of claim 8 further including the step of inputing additional information regarding the vehicle.

11. A system for refueling only authorized vehicles, comprising:

means for reading information disposed on a vehicle to determine if said vehicle is authorized for refueling;

means for enabling a fuel pump if a valid vehicle identification is read by said means for reading;

means for disabling said fuel pump after a predetermined time period; and

means for disabling the fuel pump when the system is initially powered.