Fuel distribution system with correction mechanism

• US 9,858,627 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2016
• Issued: 01/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Elliott, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): ARNETT, NICOLAS ALLEN
• Application Number:
  US15/155,373
• Publication Number:
  US 20170221160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/04 for transferring fuels, lubricants or mixed fuels and lubricants
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/305 in function of money to be spent therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/70 of two or more pumps in series or parallel
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/145 Payments according to the detected use or quantity
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery

Abstract

The fuel distribution system with correction mechanism includes systems and methods for distributing fuel at a plurality of fuel pumps. Fuel is distributed at a first fuel pump and at a second fuel pump. Erroneously, multiple payments are received for the distribution of fuel at the first fuel pump. One of the multiple payments is applied to an outstanding transaction of the second fuel pump. The difference amount between the payment applied to the second fuel pump and an amount associated with the outstanding transaction of the second fuel pump is calculated and resolved.

Claims

1. A method for distributing fuel at a plurality of fuel pumps, the method comprising:

distributing fuel at a first fuel pump and at a second fuel pump;

erroneously receiving multiple payments for the distribution of fuel at the first fuel pump;

applying one of the multiple payments to an outstanding transaction of the second fuel pump;

calculating a difference amount between the payment applied to the second fuel pump and an amount associated with the outstanding transaction of the second fuel pump; and

resolving the difference amount.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the difference amount is resolved as a drive-off.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the difference amount is applied to a subsequent transaction.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein one or more reports of erroneous fuel transactions may be generated on a periodic basis.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

generating a report to track and store an amount of fuel sold in connection with one or more erroneous fuel transactions.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

generating a report to track and store an amount of each grade of fuel sold in connection with one or more erroneous fuel transactions.

7. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured to be executed by a processor, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:

distributing fuel at a first fuel pump and at a second fuel pump;

erroneously receiving multiple payments for the distribution of fuel at the first fuel pump;

applying one of the multiple payments to an outstanding transaction of the second fuel pump;

calculating a difference amount between the payment applied to the second fuel pump and an amount associated with the outstanding transaction of the second fuel pump; and

resolving the difference amount.

8. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 7, wherein the difference amount is resolved as a drive-off.

9. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 7, wherein the difference amount is applied to a subsequent transaction.

10. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 7, wherein one or more reports of erroneous fuel transactions may be generated on a periodic basis.

11. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 7, further comprising instructions for:

generating a report to track and store an amount of fuel sold in connection with one or more erroneous fuel transactions.

12. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 7, further comprising instructions for:

generating a report to track and store an amount of each grade of fuel sold in connection with one or more erroneous fuel transactions.

13. A fuel distribution system comprising:

a plurality of fuel pumps;

one or more processors; and

memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for;

distributing fuel at a first fuel pump and at a second fuel pump;

erroneously receiving multiple payments for the distribution of fuel at the first fuel pump;

applying one of the multiple payments to an outstanding transaction of the second fuel pump;

calculating a difference amount between the payment applied to the second fuel pump and an amount associated with the outstanding transaction of the second fuel pump; and

resolving the difference amount.

14. The fuel distribution system according to claim 13, wherein the difference amount is resolved as a drive-off.

15. The fuel distribution system according to claim 13, wherein the difference amount is applied to a subsequent transaction.

16. The fuel distribution system according to claim 13, wherein one or more reports of erroneous fuel transactions may be generated on a periodic basis.

17. The fuel distribution system according to claim 13, further comprising instructions for:

generating a report to track and store an amount of fuel sold in connection with one or more erroneous fuel transactions.

18. The fuel distribution system according to claim 13, further comprising instructions for:

generating a report to track and store an amount of each grade of fuel sold in connection with one or more erroneous fuel transactions.

19. The fuel distribution system according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of fuel pumps are connected to a backend server through a site controller and network connection.

20. The fuel distribution system according to claim 13, wherein an amount of each grade of fuel sold is tracked by one or more tank.