Method and apparatus for an automated fuel authorization program for fuel terminals using a camera as part of the authorization process

• US 10,783,730 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2019
• Issued: 09/22/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zonar Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Zonar Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Inventors: McQuade, Charles Michael, Fadler, Rick
• Primary Examiner(s): Detweiler, James M
• Application Number:
  US16/242,355
• Publication Number:
  US 20190139340A1
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/44 Program or device authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0175 by photographing vehicles, e.g. when violating traffic rules
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/805 Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/84 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/107 wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3215 using a plurality of channels network architectures or network communication protocols using different networks H04L63/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3226 using a predetermined code, e.g. password, passphrase or PIN network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using passwords in a packet data network H04L63/083
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 Detection or prevention of fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/79 Radio fingerprint

Abstract

A fuel authorization system enables data to be exchanged between vehicles and a fuel vendor, to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Each fuel island is equipped with a camera and a short range radio (RF) component. Participating vehicles are equipped with fuel authorization component including an IR transmitter and a RF component that can establish a data link with the fuel island'"'"'s RF unit. When the camera senses a vehicle in the fuel lane, an RF query is sent to the vehicle. Participating vehicles respond with an IR transmission. An RF data link is then established between the enrolled vehicle and the fuel vendor to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Once the verification is complete, the fuel dispenser is enabled. In some embodiments, the IR data link is not required, as the camera can distinguish between multiple fuel lanes.

Claims

1. A gate controller system for enabling access of a vehicle to a gated facility, the system comprising:

(a) a video camera configured to capture video data;

(b) a radio frequency (RF) transmitter;

(c) an RF receiver;

(d) an authorization controller at the vehicle logically coupled to at least one of a vehicle data bus or a vehicle controller;

(e) a vehicle RF receiver logically coupled to the authorization controller;

(f) a vehicle RF transmitter logically coupled to the authorization controller and configured to establish an RF data link with the RF receiver;

(g) an accessory display device logically coupled to the authorization controller at the vehicle and comprising a display configured to visually present instructions received in one or more RF signals transmitted from the RF transmitter;

(h) a memory medium having machine instructions stored thereon; and

(i) a processor logically coupled to the video camera, the RF transmitter, and the RF receiver, which, when executing the machine instructions, is configured to;

(i) analyze the video data captured by the video camera to identify presence of the vehicle;

(ii) in response to identifying the presence of the vehicle, cause the RF transmitter to transmit one or more RF signals for receipt by the vehicle RF receiver i) requesting vehicle identifying information from the authorization controller and ii) comprising instructions for visual presentation on the display of the accessory display device prompting vehicle personnel to perform an action at the vehicle that can be detected by the video camera;

(iii) analyze vehicle identifying information received from the vehicle RF transmitter over the RF data link to determine whether it is approved;

(iv) analyze the video data captured by the video camera to determine if the prompted action has been performed; and

(v) unlock a gate in response to determinations that the vehicle identifying information is approved and that the prompted action has been performed.

2. The gate controller system of claim 1, further comprising an infrared receiver separate from the video camera, and wherein an infrared signal must be received for the gate to be opened.

3. The gate controller system of claim 1, wherein the video camera serves as an infrared receiver, and an infrared signal must be received for the gate to be open.

4. The gate controller system of claim 1, wherein the video camera is mounted upon a pole over the gate.

5. The gate controller system of claim 1, wherein the instructions prompt the vehicle personnel to activate a lighting system.

6. The gate controller system of claim 5, wherein the lighting system is a turn signals.

7. The gate controller system of claim 5, wherein the lighting system is the emergency flashers.

8. The gate controller system of claim 1, wherein the instructions prompt the vehicle personnel to cause a physical movement of accessory equipment.

9. The gate controller system of claim 1, wherein the instructions prompt the vehicle personnel to physically move something, wherein the movement will be visible to the video camera.

10. The gate controller system of claim 1, wherein the instructions prompt the vehicle personnel to control the vehicle to create a signal that will be visible to the video camera.

11. The gate controller system of claim 1, wherein the instructions prompt the vehicle personnel to exit the vehicle and stand in a particular location for a defined period of time.

12. The gate controller system of claim 1, wherein the prompted action associated with the instructions for visual presentation on the display of the accessory display device sent by the RF transmitter varies between successive transmissions to thwart spoofing.