Bar code based refueling system

• US 6,213,393 B1
• Filed: 10/14/1999
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• 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:
  US09/417,798
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 141/94, 141/98, 141/346, 141/351, 141/95, 141/96, 235/381, 235/380, 235/494, 235/472.01, 235/462.01, 235/375
• 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 refueling only authorized vehicles, 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 enabling a fuel pump if a valid vehicle identification is read by said means for reading, said fuel pump preprogrammed to be associated with said vehicle identification; and

means for disabling said fuel pump after a predetermined programmed time period.

2. The system of refueling of claim 1 further including means for disabling pumping of fuel when the system is initially powered.

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

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

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

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

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for reading bar code information includes means for radio communication when the system is used in connection with a mobile fuel truck.

8. The system of claim 3 wherein the transaction is information is recorded on a removable cartridge member.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for reading includes a database containing valid vehicle identification codes.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said database is located remotely from the refueling site.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for reading comprises:

a bar code reader for reading the bar code identification information;

a database of valid storage containers; and

a computer in communication with said bar code reader and said database for determining if said vehicle associated with the bar code is authorized for refueling.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said database being disposed remote from said computer;

said system further including a modem for communication between said computer and said database.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein said bar code reader communicates with said computer via a radio link.

14. A system for refueling only authorized vehicles, 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 enabling a fuel pump if a valid vehicle identification is read by said means for reading; and

means for disabling said fuel pump after a predetermined programmed time period.

15. A system for dispensing fuel to 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 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 fuel has been dispensed for a predetermined programmed time period; and

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

16. A method for refueling only authorized vehicles, comprising:

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

enabling a fuel pump if a valid vehicle identification is read; and

disabling said fuel pump after a predetermined programmed time period.