Fuel pumping system and method

• US 7,597,252 B1
• Filed: 04/14/2006
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mike R. Dewitt
• Original Assignee: Mike R. Dewitt
• Inventors: Dewitt, Mike R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech; Karl D.
• Application Number:
  US11/279,829
• Time in Patent Office: 1,271 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/380, 235/382, 235/384, 235/381
• US Class Current: 235/381
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery

Abstract

A fuel pumping system includes at least one fuel pump including a fuel nozzle. Each of a plurality of vehicles has a vehicle identification positioned thereon and each of the vehicles has a panel mounted thereon. The panels each have different barcode indicia thereon having information encoded therein corresponding to one of the vehicle identifications. A barcode scanner retrieves the information encoded in the barcodes. A database stores a plurality of datasets. Each of the datasets includes information from one of the barcode indicia and a corresponding one of the vehicle identifications. The database is operationally coupled to the at least one fuel pump and allows the at least one fuel pump to pump fuel when the fuel nozzle is actuated and the information retrieved by the barcode scanner corresponds to one of the datasets stored in the database.

Claims

1. A fuel dispensing system for dispensing fuel into fuel receiving ports of a plurality of vehicles, said system including:

at least one fuel pump including a fuel nozzle, fuel being dispensable from said fuel nozzle when said fuel nozzle is actuated;

a plurality of vehicle identifications, each of the vehicles having one of said vehicle identifications positioned thereon;

a plurality of panels each having a different barcode indicia thereon, each of said barcode indicia having information encoded therein corresponding to one of said vehicle identifications, each of said panels being mounted adjacent to the fuel receiving port of a corresponding one of the vehicles;

a barcode scanner being configured for scanning each of said barcode indicia and retrieving the information encoded therein;

a database being in communication with said barcode scanner, said database storing a plurality of datasets, each of said datasets including information from one of said barcode indicia and a corresponding one of said vehicle identifications, said database being operationally coupled to said at least one fuel pump and allowing said at least one fuel pump to pump fuel when said fuel nozzle is actuated and the information retrieved by said barcode scanner corresponds to one of said datasets stored in said database.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of said vehicle identifications comprising a license plate mounted on a respective one of the vehicles.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said panels are positioned within a fuel cap well of a respective one of the vehicles.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of said panels is mounted adjacent to the fuel receiving port of a corresponding one of the vehicles.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of said panels has a first side and a second side, said first sides each having said barcode indicia thereon, said second sides each having an adhesive thereon, said adhesive securing each of said panels to a respective one of the vehicles.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said barcode scanner is separate from and nozzle to position said barcode scanner outside of said fuel port when said barcode indicia is being scanned.

7. A fuel dispensing system for dispensing fuel into fuel receiving ports of a plurality of vehicles, said system including:

at least one fuel pump including a fuel nozzle, fuel being dispensable from said fuel nozzle when said fuel nozzle is actuated;

a plurality of vehicle identifications, each of the vehicles having one of said vehicle identifications positioned thereon, each of said vehicle identifications comprising a license plate mounted on a respective one of the vehicles;

a plurality of panels each having a different barcode indicia thereon, each of said barcode indicia having information encoded therein corresponding to one of said vehicle identifications, each of said panels being mounted adjacent to the fuel receiving port of a corresponding one of the vehicles, each of said panels having a first side and a second side, said first sides each having said barcode indicia thereon, said second sides each having an adhesive thereon, said adhesive securing each of said panels to a respective one of the vehicles;

a barcode being configured for scanning each of said barcode indicia and retrieving the information encoded therein;

a database being in communication with said barcode scanner, said database storing a plurality of datasets, each of said datasets including information from one of said barcode indicia and a corresponding one of said vehicle identifications, said database being operationally coupled to said at least one fuel pump and allowing said at least one fuel pump to pump fuel when said fuel nozzle is actuated and the information retrieved by said barcode scanner corresponds to one of said datasets stored in said database, wherein fuel may only be dispensed from said fuel nozzle when the information retrieved by said barcode scanner is stored in said database.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said barcode scanner is separate from and nozzle to position said barcode scanner outside of said filet port when said barcode indicia is being scanned.

9. A method of dispensing fuel comprising the steps of:

providing a vehicle having a fuel receiving port;

providing a fuel pump including a fuel nozzle, fuel being dispensable from said fuel nozzle when said fuel nozzle is actuated;

providing a vehicle identification positioned on the vehicle;

providing a panel each having barcode indicia thereon, said barcode indicia having information encoded therein corresponding to said vehicle identification, said first side having said barcode indicia thereon, said second side having an adhesive thereon;

mounting said panel adjacent to the fuel receiving port, said panel having a first side and a second side, said adhesive securing said panel to the vehicle;

providing a barcode scanner being configured for scanning said barcode indicia and retrieving the information encoded therein;

providing a database being in communication with said barcode scanner, said database storing a dataset, said dataset including information from said barcode indicia and said vehicle identification, said database being operationally coupled to said fuel pump and allowing said fuel pump to pump fuel when a person is paving with cash only after said fuel nozzle is actuated and the information retrieved by said barcode scanner corresponds to said dataset stored in said database, wherein fuel may only be dispensed from said fuel nozzle when the information retrieved by said barcode scanner is stored in said database;

scanning said barcode with said barcode scanner;

matching the information retrieved on said barcode with said dataset;

actuating said fuel nozzle and pumping fuel into said fuel receiving port after the information retrieved matches said dataset.