Dispenser system for preventing unauthorized fueling

• US 6,363,299 B1
• Filed: 08/02/2000
• Issued: 03/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gilbarco Incorporated (Vontier Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Marconi Commerce Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Hartsell, Hal C. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Butler, Michael E
• Application Number:
  US09/630,808
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• Field of Search: 700/241, 700/244, 700/237, 700/231, 141/94
• US Class Current: 700/244
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/145 by wireless communication means, e.g. RF, transponders or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/3209 relating to spillage or leakage, e.g. spill containments, leak detection leak detectors for underground fuel dispensing systems G01M3/2892
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/348 by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder B67D7/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery

Abstract

A fuel dispensing system and method for preventing unauthorized fueling by controlling access and delivery of fuel from a fuel dispenser, based on information received from a vehicle or container via remote communications during a fueling operation. The vehicle transmits a signal including fuel delivery indicia to the dispenser. The dispenser uses the fuel delivery indicia to determine whether the vehicle is receiving fuel and determines whether it is delivering fuel. The dispenser maintains fuel delivery authorization if the vehicle indicates that it is receiving fuel and the dispenser is delivering fuel. If the vehicle indicates that it is not receiving fuel and the dispenser determines that it is delivering fuel, the dispenser may generate an output signal to identify an improper fueling condition and stop fuel delivery.

Claims

1. A fuel delivery system for preventing unauthorized fueling comprising:

a. a fuel dispenser adapted to deliver fuel to a vehicle configured to provide a signal including fuel delivery indicia to said fuel dispenser;

b. communication electronics associated with said fuel dispenser, said communication electronics adapted to receive the signal provided by the vehicle including fuel delivery indicia;

c. a control system associated with said fuel dispenser and said communication electronics, said control system adapted to;

i. receive the fuel delivery indicia from the vehicle via said communication electronics;

ii. determine if fuel is being delivered from said fuel dispenser;

iii. determine if fuel is being received by the vehicle based on the fuel delivery indicia; and

iv. allow fuel delivery if fuel is being delivered from said fuel dispenser and fuel is being received by the vehicle; and

d. wherein said vehicle adapted to;

i. determine the fuel delivery indicia; and

ii. transmit a signal including fuel delivery indicia to said communication electronics associated with said fuel dispenser.

2. A fuel delivery system for preventing unauthorized fueling comprising:

a. a fuel dispenser adapted to deliver fuel to a vehicle configured to provide a signal including fuel delivery indicia to said fuel dispenser;

b. communication electronics associated with said fuel dispenser, said communication electronics adapted to receive the signal provided by the vehicle including fuel delivery indicia;

c. a control system associated with said fuel dispenser and said communication electronics, said control system adapted to;

i. receive the fuel delivery indicia from the vehicle via said communication electronics;

ii. determine if fuel is being delivered from said fuel dispenser;

iii. determine if fuel is being received by the vehicle based on the fuel delivery indicia; and

iv. allow fuel delivery if fuel is being delivered from said fuel dispenser and fuel is being received by the vehicle;

d. wherein the fuel delivery indicia relates to one of the group consisting of;

i. data identifying a proper type of fuel for a tank associated with the vehicle;

ii. data identifying if the fuel tank associated with the vehicle is receiving the proper type of fuel;

iii. data identifying a volume quantity of the fuel tank associated with the vehicle;

iv. data identifying an ullage valve of the fuel associated with the vehicle;

v. data identifying if fuel is being received by the fuel tank associated with the vehicle;

vi. data identifying the quantity of fuel received into the fuel tank associated with the vehicle; and

vii. data identifying a rate of receipt of fuel into the fuel tank associated with the vehicle.

3. A fuel delivery system for preventing unauthorized fueling comprising:

a. a fuel dispenser adapted to deliver fuel to a vehicle configured to provide a signal including fuel delivery indicia to said fuel dispenser;

b. communication electronics associated with said fuel dispenser, said communication electronics adapted to receive the signal provided by the vehicle including fuel delivery indicia;

c. a control system associated with said fuel dispenser and said communication electronics, said control system adapted to;

i. receive the fuel delivery indicia from the vehicle via said communication electronics;

ii. determine if fuel is being delivered from said fuel dispenser;

iii. determine if fuel is being received by the vehicle based on the fuel delivery indicia; and

iv. allow fuel delivery if fuel is being delivered from said fuel dispenser and fuel is being received by the vehicle; and

d. wherein said control system is adapted to allow further fuel delivery if fuel is not being delivered from said fuel dispenser and fuel is not being received by the vehicle.

4. A fuel delivery system for preventing unauthorized fueling comprising:

a. a fuel dispenser adapted to deliver fuel to a vehicle configured to provide a signal including fuel delivery indicia to said fuel dispenser;

b. communication electronics associated with said fuel dispenser, said communication electronics adapted to receive the signal provided by the vehicle including fuel delivery indicia;

c. a control system associated with said fuel dispenser and said communication electronics, said control system adapted to;

i. receive the fuel delivery indicia from the vehicle via said communication electronics;

ii. determine if fuel is being delivered from said fuel dispenser;

iii. determine if fuel is being received by the vehicle based on the fuel delivery indicia; and

iv. allow fuel delivery if fuel is being delivered from said fuel dispenser and fuel is being received by the vehicle; and

d. wherein said control system is further adapted to detect an improper fueling condition and generate an output signal if fuel is being delivered from said fuel dispenser and fuel is not being received by the vehicle.

5. A fuel delivery system for preventing unauthorized fueling comprising:

a. a fuel dispenser adapted to deliver fuel to a vehicle configured to provide a signal including fuel delivery indicia to said fuel dispenser;

b. communication electronics associated with said fuel dispenser, said communication electronics adapted to receive the signal provided by the vehicle including fuel delivery indicia;

c. a control system associated with said fuel dispenser and said communication electronics, said control system adapted to;

i. receive the fuel delivery indicia from the vehicle via said communication electronics;

ii. determine if fuel is being delivered from said fuel dispenser;

iii. determine if fuel is being received by the vehicle based on the fuel delivery indicia; and

iv. allow fuel delivery if fuel is being delivered from said fuel dispenser and fuel is being received by the vehicle; and

d. wherein said control system is further adapted to detect an improper fueling condition and generate an output signal if fuel is not being delivered from said fuel dispenser and fuel is being received the vehicle.

6. A fuel delivery system for preventing unauthorized fueling comprising:

a. fuel dispensing means having a receiver adapted to receive a signal including fuel delivery indicia from a vehicle; and

b. means for receiving the signal including fuel delivery indicia from the vehicle on a continuous basis;

c. means for determining if;

i. fuel is being delivered from said fuel dispensing means; and

ii. fuel is being received by the vehicle based on the fuel delivery indicia; and

d. means for allowing fuel delivery if fuel is being delivered from said fuel dispensing means and fuel is being received by the vehicle.

7. The fuel delivery system for preventing unauthorized fueling of claim 6, further comprising means for detecting an improper fueling condition and generating an output signal if fuel is being delivered from said fuel dispensing means and fuel is not being received by the vehicle.

8. The fuel delivery system for preventing unauthorized fueling of claim 6, further comprising means for detecting an improper fueling condition and generating an output signal if fuel is not being delivered from said fuel dispensing means and fuel is being received the vehicle.