Method and apparatus for fuel island authorization for trucking industry using proximity sensors
First Claim
1. A method for administering a fuel authorization program, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) automatically transmitting a fuel pump ID from a proximity transmitter component disposed at a fuel pump;
(b) receiving the fuel pump ID using a proximity receiver component disposed at an enrolled vehicle proximate to a fueling port for receiving fuel, the vehicle receiver proximity component being logically coupled to a vehicle based fuel authorization processor component;
(c) automatically conveying the pump ID received by the proximity receiver component to the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component in response to receiving the pump ID at the proximity receiver component;
(d) automatically obtaining a fuel ID at the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component from a source external to the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component, in response to receiving the pump ID at the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component, the fuel ID being required by the fuel vendor for fuel authorization;
(e) automatically using a station wireless data link to send the pump ID and fuel ID from the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component to a station fuel authorization processor component in response to obtaining the fuel ID at the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component; and
(f) automatically using the fuel ID at the station fuel authorization processor component in response to receiving the pump ID and fuel ID at the station fuel authorization processor component, to determine if the vehicle is enrolled in the fuel authorization program and is authorized to receive fuel, and if so, automatically enabling fuel delivery at the fuel pump identified by the pump ID.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel authorization program based on equipping fuel station, fuel pumps, and vehicles with components to enable automatic fuel authorization for enrolled vehicles. The program includes fuel pumps including a pump transmitting sensor that automatically emits a pump ID. As a vehicle pulls in next to the pump a vehicle coupling receiving sensor detects the pump ID signal and a proximity link is created. The vehicle sensor passes the pump ID via hardwire or Bluetooth to vehicle fuel authorization processor (which can be part of a telematics device). The vehicle processor transmits the pump ID (and any fuel authorization credentials needed, such as a PIN or VIN) via WI-FI to a Station processor for fuel vendor authorization. If approved, the pump is enabled. As the vehicle moves away the coupling sensor link is broken and the vehicle transmits a “disconnect” message via Wi-Fi and the pump is disabled.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for administering a fuel authorization program, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) automatically transmitting a fuel pump ID from a proximity transmitter component disposed at a fuel pump; (b) receiving the fuel pump ID using a proximity receiver component disposed at an enrolled vehicle proximate to a fueling port for receiving fuel, the vehicle receiver proximity component being logically coupled to a vehicle based fuel authorization processor component; (c) automatically conveying the pump ID received by the proximity receiver component to the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component in response to receiving the pump ID at the proximity receiver component; (d) automatically obtaining a fuel ID at the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component from a source external to the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component, in response to receiving the pump ID at the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component, the fuel ID being required by the fuel vendor for fuel authorization; (e) automatically using a station wireless data link to send the pump ID and fuel ID from the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component to a station fuel authorization processor component in response to obtaining the fuel ID at the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component; and (f) automatically using the fuel ID at the station fuel authorization processor component in response to receiving the pump ID and fuel ID at the station fuel authorization processor component, to determine if the vehicle is enrolled in the fuel authorization program and is authorized to receive fuel, and if so, automatically enabling fuel delivery at the fuel pump identified by the pump ID. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for administering a fuel authorization program, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) automatically transmitting a fuel pump ID from a proximity transmitter component disposed at a fuel pump, in response to detecting a user logging onto a local wireless network proximate the fuel pump; (b) receiving the fuel pump ID using a proximity receiver component disposed at an enrolled vehicle proximate to a fueling port for receiving fuel, the vehicle receiver proximity component being logically coupled to a vehicle based fuel authorization processor component; (c) automatically conveying the pump ID received by the proximity receiver component to the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component in response to receiving the pump ID at the proximity receiver component; (d) automatically obtaining a fuel ID at the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component, in response to receiving the pump ID at the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component, the fuel ID being required by the fuel vendor for fuel authorization; (e) automatically using a station wireless data link to send the pump ID and fuel ID from the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component to a station fuel authorization processor component in response to obtaining the fuel ID at the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component; and (f) automatically using the fuel ID at the station fuel authorization processor component in response to receiving the pump ID and fuel ID at the station fuel authorization processor component, to determine if the vehicle is enrolled in the fuel authorization program and is authorized to receive fuel, and if so, automatically enabling fuel delivery at the fuel pump identified by the pump ID.
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21. A method for administering a fuel authorization program, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) continuously transmitting a fuel pump ID from a proximity transmitter component disposed at a fuel pump, such that the fuel pump ID is being broadcast whenever the fuel pump is available for use; (b) receiving the fuel pump ID using a proximity receiver component disposed at an enrolled vehicle proximate to a fueling port for receiving fuel, the vehicle receiver proximity component being logically coupled to a vehicle based fuel authorization processor component; (c) automatically conveying the pump ID received by the proximity receiver component to the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component in response to receiving the pump ID at the proximity receiver component; (d) automatically obtaining a fuel ID at the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component, in response to receiving the pump ID at the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component, the fuel ID being required by the fuel vendor for fuel authorization; (e) automatically using a station wireless data link to send the pump ID and fuel ID from the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component to a station fuel authorization processor component in response to obtaining the fuel ID at the vehicle based fuel authorization processor component; and (f) automatically using the fuel ID at the station fuel authorization processor component in response to receiving the pump ID and fuel ID at the station fuel authorization processor component, to determine if the vehicle is enrolled in the fuel authorization program and is authorized to receive fuel, and if so, automatically enabling fuel delivery at the fuel pump identified by the pump ID.
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Specification