Bar code based refueling system

• US 6,045,040 A
• Filed: 12/19/1997
• Issued: 04/04/2000
• 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): Le, Thien Minh
• Application Number:
  US08/994,688
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 235/381, 235/380, 235/386, 235/382.5, 235/375, 235/462.01, 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 fuel dispensing system is provided wherein the fuel is provided only to authorized vehicles through verification of identification information, such as scanning a bar code disposed on the vehicle or fuel storage container. The system can be incorporated into a fixed site location or incorporated into a mobile fuel truck. The ID of the vehicle or storage container is verified with a database of valid IDs. The database can be located locally at the refueling site or remote from the refueling site and accessed via modem communication.

Claims

1. A system for dispensing fuel for refueling of an authorized vehicle, comprising:

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

means for disabling pumping of fuel when the system is initially powered;

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

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

means for recording a transaction of how much fuel was dispensed during the refueling of said authorized vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1 further including means for automatically resetting the system when the system locks up.

3. The system of claim 1 further including means for monitoring power being supplied to the system.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the system can be used in conjunction with a fixed fuel pump or a mobile fuel truck.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for reading bar code information includes means for radio communication with the system disposed within a mobile fuel truck.

6. A system for dispensing fuel for refueling of an authorized vehicle, comprising:

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

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

means for preventing pumping of fuel when the system is initially powered;

means for enabling an appropriate fuel pump when a valid vehicle identification information is received by said means for determining;

means for disabling the fuel pump if no fuel has been dispensed for a predetermined time period; and

means for recording a transaction of how much fuel was dispensed during the refueling of said authorized vehicle.

7. The system of claim 6 further including means for entering additional information regarding the authorized vehicle.

8. The system of claim 6 further including means for automatically resetting the system when the system locks up.

9. The system of claim 6 further including means for monitoring power being supplied to said system.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein the transaction information is recorded on a removable cartridge member.

11. The system of claim 6 wherein the system can be used in conjunction with a fixed fuel pump or a mobile fuel truck.

12. The system of claim 6 wherein said means for reading a bar code includes means for radio communication with the system disposed within a mobile fuel truck.

13. The system of claim 6 wherein said means for determining if said vehicle associated with the bar code is authorized for refueling includes a database containing valid vehicle identification codes.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said database is located remotely from the refueling site.

15. A system for dispensing fuel for refueling of an authorized vehicle, comprising:

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

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

means for preventing pumping of fuel when the system is initially powered;

means for enabling an appropriate fuel pump when a valid vehicle identification information is received by said means for determining.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said means for reading a bar code communicates via radio frequency to said means for determining.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein said means for determining if said vehicle associated with the bar code is authorized for refueling includes a database containing valid vehicle identification codes.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said database is located remotely from the refueling site.

19. A system for dispensing fuel, comprising:

means for reading bar code identification information regarding a fuel storage container;

means for determining if said storage container associated with the bar code is authorized for refueling;

means for preventing pumping of fuel for a predetermined period of time when the system is initially powered;

means for enabling a fuel pump when a valid storage container bar code identification information is received by said means for determining, said fuel pump having been preprogrammed to be associated with said valid storage container bar code.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said means for determining if said storage container associated with the bar code is authorized for refueling includes a database containing valid identification codes.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein said database is located remotely from the refueling site.

22. The system of claim 19 further including means for recording a transaction of how much fuel was dispensed during the refueling of said authorized storage container.

23. A system for dispensing fuel, comprising:

a bar code reader for reading of bar code identification information regarding a fuel storage container;

a database of valid storage containers;

a computer connected to said bar code reader and said database for determining if said storage container associated with the bar code is authorized for refueling;

means for preventing pumping of fuel for a predetermined period of time when said computer is initially powered;

means for enabling a fuel pump when a valid storage container bar code identification information is received by said computer and verified with said database, said fuel pump having been preprogrammed to be associated with said valid storage container bar code.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein said database being disposed remote from said computer;

a modem for communication between said computer and said database.

25. The system of claim 23 wherein said bar code reader is connected to said computer via a radio link.