Fuel dispenser time synchronization and geotracking

• US 8,960,019 B1
• Filed: 06/11/2014
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gilbarco Incorporated (Vontier Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Gilbarco Incorporated (Vontier Corp.)
• Inventors: Oldham, Christopher Adam, Voss, Juergen, Long, Joseph Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): THOMPSON, JEWEL VERGIE
• Application Number:
  US14/301,451
• Time in Patent Office: 258 Days
• Field of Search: 738/617.4, 738/617.9, 738/617.5, 137/234.6, 375/257, 705/64, 700/236
• US Class Current: 73/861.79
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/14 Time supervision arrangements, e.g. real time clock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3802 With vehicle guide or support, e.g., service station

Abstract

A fuel dispenser has internal fuel flow piping, a flow meter located along the internal fuel flow piping, and a displacement sensor operatively connected to the flow meter to generate information representative of an amount of fuel passing through the flow meter. The fuel dispenser also has a control system comprising a memory. In embodiments, however, the control system does not comprise a real-time clock. The fuel dispenser also comprises a synchronization module in electronic communication with the control system. The synchronization module comprises at least one antenna configured to receive a carrier wave modulated with synchronization information. Methods for obtaining accurate time information at the fuel dispenser are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining accurate time information at a fuel dispenser, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a synchronization module in electronic communication with a control system of a fuel dispenser, said control system in operative communication with hydraulics of said fuel dispenser and comprising a memory, said control system further comprising an operating system which maintains a first time;

receiving at said synchronization module a carrier wave modulated with synchronization information;

generating at said synchronization module information representative of a second time; and

transmitting said information representative of said second time to said control system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said control system periodically instructs said synchronization module to receive said synchronization information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said synchronization information comprises a time code.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said synchronization module receives a GPS signal.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising generating at said synchronization module information representative of the location of said synchronization module.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising transmitting said location information to said control system and storing said location information in said control system memory.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said control system does not comprise a real-time clock.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said synchronization module is located at a site controller remote from said fuel dispenser.

9. A fuel dispenser, comprising:

internal fuel flow piping;

a flow meter located along said internal fuel flow piping;

a displacement sensor operatively connected to said flow meter to generate information representative of an amount of fuel passing through said flow meter;

a control system comprising a memory, wherein said control system does not comprise a real-time clock; and

a synchronization module in electronic communication with said control system, said synchronization module comprising at least one antenna configured to receive a carrier wave modulated with synchronization information.

10. The fuel dispenser of claim 9, wherein said control system controls hydraulic components of said fuel dispenser.

11. The fuel dispenser of claim 9, wherein said control system is a CRIND module.

12. The fuel dispenser of claim 9, wherein said synchronization module comprises a radio clock.

13. The fuel dispenser of claim 12, wherein said synchronization information comprises a time code.

14. The fuel dispenser of claim 9, wherein said synchronization module comprises a satellite navigation receiver.

15. The fuel dispenser of claim 14, wherein said synchronization information comprises a GPS signal.

16. The fuel dispenser of claim 15, wherein said synchronization module is configured to generate information representative of a current time and a location of said synchronization module.

17. A method for obtaining accurate time information at a fuel dispenser, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a control system located in said fuel dispenser, said control system comprising a memory and software which maintains a first time;

said control system further comprising a synchronization module, said synchronization module comprising at least one antenna configured to receive a carrier wave modulated with synchronization information;

receiving said carrier wave;

generating information representative of a second time; and

synchronizing said first time with said second time.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said control system is in electronic communication with a card reader.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said control system is in operative communication with hydraulics of said fuel dispenser.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said generating step is performed at said control system.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein said synchronization module comprises a radio clock.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said synchronization information comprises a time signal emitted by a radio transmitter.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein said synchronization module comprises a satellite navigation receiver.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising generating information representative of a location of said control system and storing said information in said memory.