US20130206279A1 - Fluid delivery control nozzle - Google Patents

Fluid delivery control nozzle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20130206279A1
US20130206279A1 US13/843,354 US201313843354A US2013206279A1 US 20130206279 A1 US20130206279 A1 US 20130206279A1 US 201313843354 A US201313843354 A US 201313843354A US 2013206279 A1 US2013206279 A1 US 2013206279A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
fuel
module
identification module
information
nozzle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/843,354
Inventor
Michael C. Ryan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=23590938&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=US20130206279(A1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US13/843,354 priority Critical patent/US20130206279A1/en
Publication of US20130206279A1 publication Critical patent/US20130206279A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67DDISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/06Details or accessories
    • B67D7/32Arrangements of safety or warning devices; Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid
    • B67D7/34Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid
    • B67D7/344Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid by checking a correct coupling or coded information
    • B67D7/348Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid by checking a correct coupling or coded information by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67DDISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/06Details or accessories
    • B67D7/08Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred
    • B67D7/14Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred responsive to input of recorded programmed information, e.g. on punched cards
    • B67D7/145Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred responsive to input of recorded programmed information, e.g. on punched cards by wireless communication means, e.g. RF, transponders or the like
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67DDISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/06Details or accessories
    • B67D7/08Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred
    • B67D7/22Arrangements of indicators or registers
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67DDISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/06Details or accessories
    • B67D7/42Filling nozzles
    • B67D7/425Filling nozzles including components powered by electricity or light
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/04Payment circuits
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/30Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
    • G06Q20/34Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
    • G06Q20/342Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q50/00Systems or methods specially adapted for specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
    • G06Q50/06Electricity, gas or water supply
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07CTIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C5/00Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
    • G07C5/008Registering or indicating the working of vehicles communicating information to a remotely located station
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F13/00Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs
    • G07F13/02Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs by volume
    • G07F13/025Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs by volume wherein the volume is determined during delivery
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/02Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by keys or other credit registering devices
    • G07F7/025Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by keys or other credit registering devices by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17CVESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0376Dispensing pistols

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to a nozzle for controlling the delivery of fluid to a container or reservoir and, more specifically, to a nozzle for the exchange of security, identification, and transaction information between a container, such as a fuel or other fluid storage tank, and a fluid delivery system.
  • the delivery and control of the delivery of fluids is ubiquitous, varying from water, such as for irrigation, liquefied petroleum gas (propane), oxygen and other gases, and petroleum based fuels such as gasoline and diesel fuel.
  • many vehicles are operated as a part of a commercial enterprise wherein detailed and accurate records are needed to account properly for the use of the vehicle and to support income tax return filings.
  • the vehicle is owned other than by the operator and fuel used by the vehicle is purchased by the absentee owner at the time a fuel delivery is made. Accurate and reliable records are necessary to assure that the appropriate vehicle receives the purchased fuel and, to the extent possible, that the miles logged by the vehicle correspond to actual commercial, not private, use.
  • devices such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,819 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,522 provide means for radio frequency communication between a fluid delivery device and a fluid container.
  • a fluid delivery device To increase the efficiency and desirability of these aforementioned devices, it would be beneficial to provide means for communicating information received during a fluid delivery directly from the fluid delivery nozzle via a wireless communicative link. It would be additionally desirable to allow an operator to input information directly into the nozzle during a fueling operation and to have information displayed on the nozzle for viewing by the operator.
  • the following specification and claims address these supplemental advantages.
  • the present invention includes a fluid delivery nozzle for delivering fluid from a fluid delivery device to a fluid container and for communicating information regarding a fluid delivery transaction to a remote device.
  • a nozzle capable of controlling flow of fluid from a fluid delivery device to a fluid container is provided.
  • input means for allowing information regarding the fluid delivery transaction to be inputted into the nozzle.
  • transmitting means for transmitting the information regarding the fluid delivery transaction.
  • display means for allowing information regarding the fluid delivery transaction to be displayed on the nozzle.
  • Receiving means are coupled to the display means for receiving information regarding the fluid delivery transaction.
  • a fluid container with an associated information storage and retrieval device is provided.
  • a first information storage and retrieval device is secured to the nozzle.
  • a second information storage and retrieval device Associated with a remote location is a second information storage and retrieval device.
  • Means are associated with the second information storage and retrieval device for transmitting information relative to a fluid delivery transaction from the second information storage and retrieval device to the first information storage and retrieval device.
  • Means are associated with the first information storage and retrieval device for wireless communication with the second information storage and retrieval device.
  • the input means are an operator input keyboard associated with the first information storage and retrieval device which allows an operator to input information directly from the nozzle during the fluid delivery transaction.
  • the display means are a liquid crystal display associated with the first information storage and retrieval device to give the operator information regarding the fluid delivery transaction, previous fluid deliveries, and diagnostics relating to the vehicle to which the fluid container is attached.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid delivery control system which eliminates hardwire connection between a fluid delivery nozzle and a fluid delivery device.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid delivery control apparatus which may be quickly and inexpensively installed on an existing fluid nozzle.
  • a further object of the present invention is to allow existing fluid nozzles to interface with existing information transmission devices provided on various vehicles.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to provide operator control of a fluid delivery transaction directly from a fluid nozzle.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide feedback to an operator from a fluid nozzle during a fluid delivery transaction.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide means on a fluid nozzle for communicating with either a passive or active transponder regarding information concerning a fluid delivery transaction.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide means for inductively charging a fluid nozzle when the fluid nozzle is docked into a docking station.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical view of a vehicle and two trailers on which transponders have been installed and including a schematic block diagram of the exchange of information between a saddle pack, a terminal site controller, and the vehicle;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the saddle pack of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a side elevation in partial phantom showing the saddle pack of FIG. 1 secured to a fluid delivery nozzle;
  • FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the display and input panel of the saddle pack of FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 5 is a side elevation in partial phantom showing an alternative embodiment of the present invention having a flow meter integrated into the fluid delivery nozzle;
  • FIG. 6 is a diagrammatical view of the saddle pack and the communicative links between the saddle pack, the fluid delivery device, and the terminal site controller;
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a central processing unit and peripherals of a truck tractor vehicle identification module with which the saddle pack of FIG. 2 may communicate.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a truck trailer identification module with which the truck tractor vehicle identification module may communicate;
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an automobile identification module with which the saddle pack of FIG. 2 may communicate;
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a mobile equipment identification module with which the saddle pack of FIG. 2 may communicate;
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a low power threshold detector module with which the saddle pack of FIG. 2 may communicate;
  • FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a fuel docking station which charges the saddle pack of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the fuel docking module of FIG. 12 ;
  • FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of the fuel nozzle module contained within the saddle pack of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a fuel nozzle module contained within the saddle pack of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of a terminal site controller with which the saddle pack of FIG. 1 may communicate;
  • FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicle identification module of the vehicle of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of alternative readers for communicating with the vehicle identification module of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of a fuel pump truck module of the apparatus of the present invention.
  • FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of a passive transponder associated with a fluid container
  • FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of an electrical circuit that is added to the fluid delivery module of FIG. 20 for use with the passive transponder;
  • FIG. 22 is a diagrammatical view of a jumpered programming plug communicating with the vehicle identification module and the passive transponder.
  • FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a nozzle saddle pack 768 of the present invention secured to a standard fuel nozzle 766 .
  • a truck tractor 12 ( FIG. 1 ) is provided with a vehicle identification module 10 and a passive transponder 772 secured near a fuel tank orifice 773 of the truck tractor 12 .
  • the saddle pack 768 of the present invention is provided with a fuel nozzle module 24 which is coupled to a fuel nozzle coil 28 ( FIG. 3 ).
  • the fuel nozzle coil 28 communicates via radio frequency communication with the passive transponder 772 upon insertion of the nozzle 766 into the fuel tank orifice 773 of the truck tractor 12 .
  • the passive transponder 772 transmits a unique identification code to the fuel nozzle module 24 located within the saddle pack 768 ( FIGS. 1-3 ).
  • the nozzle 766 is connected by a fuel hose 762 to a stationary fuel dispenser 764 ( FIG. 6 ).
  • the saddle pack 768 communicates the unique identification code via radio frequency transmission to a terminal site controller 702 .
  • the terminal site controller polls the vehicle identification module 10 to receive the passive transponder identification number and diagnostics relating to the truck tractor 12 .
  • the terminal site controller 702 correlates the unique identification codes for a match and communicates the diagnostics to the saddle pack 768 which sent the unique identification code.
  • the terminal site controller 702 is typically located within a one hundred meter radius of the fuel dispenser 764 and is capable of storing data received from the fuel dispenser 764 , the saddle pack 768 and the vehicle identification module 10 . From the terminal site controller 702 , the information may either be printed out, stored until a later date, or transmitted over telephone lines or the like to the appropriate financial institution for payment to the fuel pump owner for the fluid delivery made to the truck tractor 12 .
  • FIG. 1 A diagrammatical view of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 , particularly, a preferred embodiment wherein a vehicle identification module 10 is located on board a truck tractor 12 to which is attached a first trailer vehicle 14 and a second trailer vehicle 16 .
  • a vehicle identification module 10 is located on board a truck tractor 12 to which is attached a first trailer vehicle 14 and a second trailer vehicle 16 .
  • information is transmitted via radio frequency communication, information may be transferred by any suitable means, including, but not limited to, hardwire, infrared, surface acoustic wave, etc. It is desirable to control refueling operations so that fuel delivered to the vehicle is properly recorded and charged, to prevent theft of fuel, and to provide an easy and convenient method for recording and communicating such information to a central processing location.
  • information is collected by sensors located on the truck tractor 12 and associated trailers 14 and 16 , or via direct communication from outside devices, and is stored on identification modules.
  • the vehicle identification module 10 is located on the truck tractor 12 and acts as a central collection point.
  • a first trailer identification module 18 is located on the first trailer 14 and a second trailer identification module 20 is located on the second trailer 16 .
  • the trailer identification modules 18 and 20 are in communication with the vehicle identification module 10 .
  • Information and data collected on the trailer identification modules 18 and 20 may either be communicated at once to the vehicle identification module 10 or may be stored for later communication.
  • an operator will enter the truck tractor 12 and will insert an operator identification module 22 into the truck tractor identification module 10 .
  • any fluid container such as a beer keg, herbicide drum, or paint canister, may be used in the present invention.
  • the operator's name, drivers license number, credit information and usage unique identification code will be transmitted from the operator identification module 22 to the vehicle identification module 10 .
  • the operator identification module 22 is preferably a passive transponder, but may be any other means for inputting an operator identification into the vehicle identification module 10 . If the unique identification code is correctly identified by the vehicle identification module 10 as an authorized code, the operator will be allowed to start the engine and drive the truck tractor 12 .
  • the vehicle identification module 10 will collect and record the date and time when the engine was started, miles driven by the truck tractor 12 , hours of operation of the engine, and other information as will be described in further detail below.
  • a trailer identification module 18 is located on board the first trailer 14 .
  • the first trailer identification module 18 has recorded on it a trailer identification number and the accumulated mileage that the first trailer 14 has been pulled by a tractor.
  • RF radio frequency
  • the vehicle identification module 10 reads from the trailer identification module 18 the trailer identification number and accumulated mileage total. Additionally, the vehicle identification module 10 authorizes the release of the air brakes of the trailer 14 , as will be described in further detail below, to allow the trailer 14 to be towed behind the truck tractor 12 .
  • the distance traveled is communicated from the vehicle identification module to the trailer identification module 18 where it is used to increment the accumulated mileage.
  • the accumulated mileage is written to nonvolatile memory on the trailer identification module 18 where it will be retained until the trailer 14 is again connected to a truck tractor that is equipped with the appropriate apparatus of the present invention.
  • the second trailer identification module 20 is located on board the second trailer 16 and functions identically to that of the first trailer identification module 18 upon its connection to the truck tractor 12 behind the first trailer 14 .
  • the trailer identification numbers, elapsed mileage on the trailers 14 and 16 , and other information may be stored at the vehicle identification module 10 for bookkeeping and data collection purposes as will be described below.
  • the nonvolatile memory of the trailer identification modules 18 and 20 can also be used to store manifest information regarding the contents of the corresponding trailer, either when such contents are loaded or from the vehicle identification module 10 .
  • Such manifest information, as well as other information stored in the nonvolatile memory of the trailer identification modules 18 and 20 can be communicated to the vehicle identification module 10 , to a remote device via a communication link, and/or to a portable storage device such as a memory key available from Datakey Corporation, Burnsville, Minn., or a passive transponder with embedded memory such as is available from Texas Instruments®, Indala®, and NDC Automation, Inc., 3101 Latrobe Drive, Charlotte, N.C.
  • the passive transponder 772 and vehicle identification module 10 are preferably not directly coupled to one another. Accordingly, after the passive transponder 772 has been installed on the truck tractor 12 , a hand-held transponder scanner/jumpered programmer 784 is used to poll the passive transponder 772 to read the transponder's unique factory installed identification code or an operator specified code if the transponder is read/write.
  • the programmer 784 is preferably provided with a jumpered programming plug 786 which is plugged into a radio frequency modem 722 coupled to the vehicle identification module 10 .
  • the programmer 784 downloads the identification code of the passive transponders 772 into the vehicle identification module 10 through the RS-232 serial port to flash memory. This procedure is repeated with all other fluid container passive transponders 772 on the truck tractor 12 until all of the unique identification codes are stored on the vehicle identification module 10 and correlated with their location on the truck tractor 12 .
  • a refueling operation will now be described.
  • the truck tractor 12 will drive up to a fuel delivery location such as a fuel service station.
  • the terminal site controller 702 polls the vehicle identification module 10 to receive engine diagnostics along with all of the unique identification codes of the passive transponders 772 located on the truck tractor 12 .
  • the engine diagnostics may include, inter alia, hours of engine operation, miles traveled, fuel consumed, fuel cost, dates and times of engine operation, dates and times of fueling operations, manifest information regarding the cargo carried in the vehicles, operator information, and the like.
  • a fuel nozzle module 24 ( FIG. 3 ) is located within a saddle pack 768 which is releasably secured to a fuel nozzle 766 .
  • the nozzle 766 is connected to a fuel dispenser 764 by a hose 762 and is used to deliver fuel to the truck tractor 12 ( FIG. 6 ).
  • the fuel nozzle 766 is inserted into a filler neck of a fuel tank (not shown) of the truck tractor 12 during the fueling operation.
  • the passive transponder 772 Associated with the filler neck of the truck tractor 12 is the passive transponder 772 .
  • An inductive fuel nozzle coil 28 is associated with the fuel nozzle module 24 of the saddle pack 768 to poll the passive transponder ( FIGS. 3 and 14 ).
  • a passive transponder indicated generally at 772 in FIG. 20 , stores identification information for subsequent, repeated transmission to a fluid delivery device for the purpose of authorizing a fluid delivery transaction and for record keeping purposes regarding the transaction.
  • the passive transponder 772 has no independent battery or other power source. Operational energy is received from an active communication module, indicated generally at 1000 in FIG. 21 , and associated with the fuel nozzle module 24 ( FIG. 3 ).
  • Identification information such as the identity of a fluid container, fluid type for the container, and equipment type is stored in a programmable, read-only memory device 902 .
  • 64 bits of information are stored on the PROM 902 .
  • the passive transponder 772 may serve as an identification device for a person rather than a fluid container.
  • the information stored on the PROM 902 would be information identifying the person. In either event, the information is used for security and record keeping purposes.
  • Operational energy for the passive transponder 772 is transmitted from the active communication module 1000 ( FIG. 21 ).
  • a coil driver 1002 is connected to the CPU 532 , 632 or 832 in a similar manner as the coil drivers 574 , 674 or 474 .
  • a 153.6 kHz signal from the clock oscillator 1004 drives an LC circuit including a power transmit coil 1006 and a capacitor 1008 selected to tune the LC circuit to 153.6 kHz.
  • the power transmit coil 1006 generates an RF signal at 153.6 kHz.
  • the passive transponder 772 includes a power receive coil 904 across which is connected a capacitor 906 selected to tune the coil to receive the 153.6 kHz power signal.
  • the signal is passed through a rectifier 908 which puts out a supply voltage for powering the other components of the passive transponder 772 .
  • the 153.6 kHz signal received by the power receive coil 904 is also sent to a counter 910 which controls the PROM 902 and sends a 4800 Hz signal to a phase shift key encoder 912 and a 76.8 kHz signal (one-half of 153.6 kHz) to a FSK modulator 914 .
  • the FSK encoder 912 and modulator 914 transmit the information stored on the PROM 902 through an LC circuit tuned to 76.8 kHz including a signal transmitting coil 916 and an appropriate capacitor 918 .
  • the 64 bits of information is transmitted in approximately 100 milliseconds.
  • the clock oscillator 1004 of the active communication module 1000 sends a 76.8 kHz signal to a synchronous demodulator 1010 which is connected to an LC circuit tuned at 76.8 kHz, including a capacitor 1014 and a signal receiving coil 1012 .
  • the coil 1012 may be any of the coils 26 , 76 or 80 of the vehicle identification module 10
  • FIG. 7 coils 126 , 176 or 180 of the trailer identification module 18 ( FIG. 8 ), coil 226 of the automotive module 11 ( FIG. 9 ), or coil 326 of the mobile equipment module 13 ( FIG. 10 ).
  • the signal from the demodulator 1010 passes through a low pass filter 1016 and through a phase shift key decoder 1018 to a shift register 1020 which is connected to the data bus of any of the CPUs 32 , 132 , 232 , 332 or 432 , depending on the application.
  • the power transmit coil 1006 and the power receiving coil 904 are approximately rectangular, having dimensions of three-fourths inch by two and one-half inches, consisting of eleven turns of thirty gauge copper wire. If a one-half amp signal is put through the power transmit coil 1006 , an effective distance between the coils has been found to be approximately one-half inch, which results in a five milliamp signal at the rectifier 908 which is sufficient to power the passive identification module 900 to transmit its 64 bits of stored information.
  • the size of the passive transponder 772 can be substantially increased to increase correspondingly the communication distance between the power receive coil 904 and the signal transmitting coil 916 and the corresponding coils of the active communication module 1000 . Sufficient power can be transmitted over about six inches if the power transmit and receive coils are approximately five inches in diameter.
  • the personal identification embodiment can be used to authorize a fuel delivery transaction to a fuel container that is not equipped with an identification module. Alternatively, the person identification embodiment can be used either in conjunction with a passive transponder 772 associated with the fuel container or any of the modules discussed above.
  • the passive identification module thus functions like an identification card but which can be “petted” and read at a distance, permits the components of the active communication module 1000 to be completely sealed from the environment, is tamper proof, and can identify either a fuel container or an authorized person attempting to initiate a fuel delivery transaction.
  • the active communication module 1000 with an inductive coil 26 may be used to transmit a unique identification code.
  • the alternative inductive coil 26 would be in direct communication with the vehicle identification module 10 and in inductive communication with the fuel nozzle module 24 via the fuel nozzle coil 28 ( FIGS. 3 and 14 ). Voltage signals present in either active communication module 1000 or the fuel nozzle coil 28 would be transmitted to and received when the two coils are in communicating proximity. In this manner, the vehicle identification module 10 and the fuel nozzle module 24 could intercommunicate directly during a fuel delivery operation.
  • a magnetic card reader 786 is incorporated into the housing 728 of the saddle pack 768 and coupled to the fuel nozzle module 24 to allow the operator to identify the operator and/or the truck tractor 12 if either one is not equipped with a passive transponder and/or to allow for automatic payment of fuel.
  • the fuel nozzle module 24 upon insertion of the fuel nozzle 766 into the filler neck of the truck tractor 12 , the fuel nozzle module 24 sends a power signal to the passive transponder 772 ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ). In response to the power signal, the passive transponder 772 transmits a unique identification code to the fuel nozzle module 24 together with the unique identification code of the passive transponder 772 .
  • the fuel nozzle module 24 sends the unique identification code from the saddle pack 768 via a 916.5 MHz radio signal to a terminal site controller 702 .
  • the fuel nozzle module 24 sends the information via a low power radio data link 667 contained within the saddle pack 768 .
  • any suitable communication means may be used, including, but not limited to, hardwired, cellular, lan card, or other known wireless communication means. If the terminal site controller 702 matches the unique identification code of the passive transponder with the unique identification code stored on the vehicle identification module 10 , the terminal site controller 702 activates the fuel dispenser 764 via a hardwired or wireless connection. In addition to initiating fuel delivery, the terminal site controller relays the diagnostic information to the appropriate saddle pack 768 via wireless communication ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ).
  • the operator Before delivery of the fuel, the operator may input either a dollar amount or a volume amount into the keyboard 744 on the saddle pack 768 . This information is transferred via radio frequency communication to the terminal site controller 702 which automatically starts fuel delivery and stops fuel delivery after the specified dollar amount or volume of fuel has been delivered. This automatic shutoff feature allows the operator to leave the fueling site during the fueling process without the risk of overfilling the truck tractor 12 .
  • An additional saddle pack 768 may be attached to a satellite nozzle (not shown) if it is desired to fill two or more tanks of the truck tractor 12 simultaneously. Every tank of the truck tractor 12 is preferably equipped with a separate one of the passive transponders 772 with each passive transponder 772 being uniquely coded to identify a particular tank. If either nozzle 766 is removed from its respective tank, fuel delivery to that nozzle 766 is discontinued. Accordingly, if it is desired to fill two or more tanks of the truck tractor 12 simultaneously, the use of multiple saddle packs 768 and passive transponders 772 prevents the filling of an unauthorized container with the satellite nozzle while the main nozzle 766 is filling an authorized container.
  • the terminal site controller 702 During the fueling process, information relating to the cost of the fuel being delivered, the fuel type, the volume of fuel, the saddle pack code, and the station identification number is collected at the terminal site controller 702 , transmitted either from the saddle pack 768 via RF communication or from the fuel dispenser 764 via a hardwired connection.
  • the terminal site controller 702 is preferably used to store and transmit information back and forth from both the vehicle identification module 10 and fuel nozzle module 24
  • the fuel nozzle module 24 may be used to communicate directly with the vehicle identification module if the network and storage capabilities of the terminal site controller 702 are not needed.
  • FIG. 16 shows the terminal site controller 702 having a serial data port 704 .
  • the terminal site controller 702 is a personal computer (PC) coupled via RS-485 or RS-232 communication to existing pump motor controllers 778 provided within the fuel dispenser 764 or terminal site controller 702 . Communication with the pump motor controllers 702 allows information regarding the type and volume of fuel delivered to be stored at the terminal site controller 702 for later use.
  • the terminal site controller 702 is also coupled to a low power radio data link 706 having a transmitter module 708 and a receiver module 710 to provide communication with the saddle pack 768 .
  • the PC is provided with software to allow the terminal site controller 702 to interface with the existing pump motor controllers 778 and with information received from the saddle pack 768 .
  • the terminal site controller 702 is provided with means for archiving information regarding previous fuel deliveries and is also provided with network capabilities, either regional or nationwide, to allow data collection and recognition of various vehicles being fueled by the present invention.
  • the saddle pack 768 is shown in FIGS. 2-4 .
  • the saddle pack 768 is provided with a high density polyethylene injection molded housing 728 designed for receipt of the fuel nozzle 766 .
  • the fuel nozzle 766 is provided with a valve nut 730 which allows the saddle pack 768 to be locked into place.
  • a lock cap 732 is placed over the valve nut 730 .
  • the lock cap 732 is provided with a sleeve which accommodates a lock bolt 734 after the saddle pack 768 is slid over the nozzle 766 .
  • the lock bolt 734 is inserted through the housing 728 and the sleeve of the lock cap 732 to secure the lock cap 732 and housing 728 from inadvertent removal from the nozzle 766 .
  • the lock cap 732 is provided with a clevis 736 which grasps the lock bolt 734 and prevents its inadvertent removal from the lock cap 732 .
  • the lock bolt 734 is provided with a special head which prevents its removal without the use of a tool kept by the owner of the fueling station.
  • FIG. 14 A schematic drawing of the fuel nozzle module 24 is illustrated in FIG. 14 , with 600 series numbers identifying elements corresponding to the elements of the other identification modules.
  • the fuel nozzle module 24 includes a nickel metal hydride battery pack 673 or an optional removable rechargeable battery pack 675 , both of which supply twelve volts to a voltage regulator 677 which, in turn, provides five volts of DC operating current to the fuel nozzle module 24 .
  • the coil 28 is coupled to a multiplexer 679 which toggles use of the coil 28 from charging the battery pack 673 to communicating information to and from the fuel nozzle module 24 .
  • the multiplexer 679 is coupled to a battery recharge management system 681 which charges the battery pack 673 after receiving an influx of power.
  • the fuel nozzle module 24 is located within the saddle pack 768 .
  • An alternative embodiment of the fuel nozzle module 24 is shown in FIG. 15 .
  • the multiplexer 679 is eliminated and a separate power coil 683 is provided and coupled directly to the battery recharge management system 681 .
  • a separate communication coil 685 is provided to allow the fuel nozzle module 24 to communicate information without having to provide the fuel nozzle module 24 with a multiplexer 679 .
  • the saddle pack 768 is provided with an interface board 738 surrounded on all sides by a soft rubber boot 740 to protect the interface board 738 from jarring and damage during operation ( FIG. 3 ).
  • the interface board 738 has both a liquid crystal display 742 and a keyboard 744 to allow an operator to both receive and send information from the saddle pack 768 .
  • the keyboard 744 is preferably provided with number keys 746 labeled zero through nine, four directional keys 748 , a clear key 750 , and an enter key 752 .
  • the keys are preferably self-cleaning sealed Hall-effect buttons thereby eliminating any openings in the keyboard 744 which would allow dust or corrosive material to enter the saddle pack 29 .
  • the keyboard 744 is ergodynamically constructed to allow ease of operation by a thumb of an operator as the operator is holding the nozzle 766 .
  • the clear key 750 and enter key 752 are preferably larger than the remaining keys and positioned lower on the keyboard 744 to allow ease of use.
  • the display 742 is preferably a six-line liquid crystal display capable of supporting full graphics but may be any suitable type of display device.
  • the display 742 may also be provided with a heater (not shown) to facilitate operation of the display 742 in cold weather. It is preferable that both the display 742 and keypad 744 are substantially impervious to corrosive fluids and ultraviolet light found around fueling stations.
  • the saddle pack 768 is also preferably provided with a magnetic card reader 786 coupled to the fuel nozzle module 24 to allow the operator to enter information via a magnetic strip card (not shown).
  • the nickel metal hydride battery pack 673 is positioned within the housing 728 . If it is desired, a small door (not shown) may be provided in the housing 728 to provide easy removal and replacement of the battery pack 673 from the housing 728 .
  • a master microcontroller board 754 containing the central processing unit 632 and the supporting peripherals shown in FIG. 14 .
  • the keyboard is interfaced with the CPU 632 as is the liquid crystal display 642 .
  • the coil 26 is provided within the housing 728 and completely surrounds the nozzle 766 .
  • This preferred positioning of the coil 28 allows for communication of the coil 28 with the truck tractor 12 during a fueling operation. It also allows the coil 26 to transmit operational energy to the battery pack 673 during docking of the nozzle 766 . It should be noted that while placement around the nozzle 766 is preferred, any positioning which allows communication of the coil 28 with the truck tractor 12 may be used.
  • the fuel nozzle module 24 , keyboard 744 , display 742 , and battery pack 673 are integrated into the nozzle 766 thereby eliminating the saddle pack 768 ( FIG. 5 ).
  • a magnetic card reader 786 and a laser bar code reader 788 may be integrated into the nozzle 766 to allow credit card information to be downloaded to the fluid nozzle module 24 and to allow a standard bar-code 794 to be substituted for the passive transponder 772 ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ).
  • the hardwire connection between the terminal site controller 702 and the pump pulser can be eliminated. Replacing this connection is a turbine flow sensor 774 which is positioned within the nozzle 766 along the path of fuel flow.
  • a self-contained turbine flow sensor frequency generator manufactured by Great Plains Industries, Inc. of Wichita, Kans., is preferable for petroleum delivery. If a material other than gasoline is dispensed, such as oil, a
  • the turbine flow sensor 774 is hardwired to the fuel nozzle module 24 to allow transmission of fuel delivery information to the fuel nozzle module 24 .
  • the frequency generator within the turbine flow sensor sends pulses to the fuel nozzle module 24 for each incremental amount, e.g. (one tenth of one gallon) that flows past the turbine flow sensor 774 .
  • information relating to the truck tractor 12 is transmitted via a 916.5 MHz radio signal to the fuel nozzle module 24 .
  • information relating to the fuel delivery may be transferred from the terminal site controller 702 to the vehicle identification module 10 via a 916.5 MHz radio signal ( FIGS. 7 and 16 ).
  • the terminal site controller 702 subsequently transmits the information, e.g., over telephone lines, to the owner of the truck tractor 12 and, in certain circumstances, to the appropriate financial institution for payment to the fuel pump owner for the fuel delivery made to the truck tractor 12 ( FIGS. 1 and 16 ).
  • the fuel nozzle module 24 continues to inquire for the unique identification code from the passive transponder 772 . If the appropriate unique identification code is not received, the fuel nozzle module 24 will send a signal to the terminal site controller 702 to turn off the pump motor controllers of the fuel dispenser 764 and in this way prevent delivery of fuel to an unauthorized vehicle or fuel tank and prevent fuel loss if the nozzle 766 becomes inadvertently dislodged from the filler neck ( FIGS. 1 , 7 and 16 ).
  • FIG. 7 A schematic diagram of the vehicle identification module 10 showing the optional active transponder wiring is illustrated in FIG. 7 .
  • the active transponder wiring may be eliminated if the passive transponder 772 is used.
  • Principal control of the vehicle identification module 10 is accomplished by a central processing unit 32 to which is attached a watch dog timer 34 .
  • Information or data from the operator identification module 22 , memory key, other passive transponder, or touch button is communicated both to the CPU 32 and to a 2K bit nonvolatile memory storage device 36 where it will be stored for access by the CPU 32 .
  • Odometer and engine hour information is communicated to the CPU 32 from sensors 38 and 40 , respectively.
  • Power voltage is supplied to the CPU 32 through a 5-volt output voltage regulator 42 connected to the 12 volt electrical system of the truck tractor.
  • Instruction coding or programs for the operation of the CPU 32 are stored on a 32K byte memory device 46 and a 2K byte data memory device 48 is provided for the storage of data collected and processed by the vehicle identification module 10 ( FIG. 7 ).
  • a 32K byte programmable memory device (EEPROM) 47 serves as a means for modifying or updating the program for controlling the operation of the vehicle identification module 10 . If the program originally stored on the 32K byte RAM device 46 is to be changed, a new program can be stored on the EEPROM 47 via an appropriate communication link (including the inductive coils described below).
  • the new program will include the instructions necessary to effectively debilitate the original program stored on the RAM device 46 . In this way, the program can be changed, altered, or updated as desired and from a remote location without substitution of a memory chip or device.
  • the data bus 58 handles the communication of data and instructions between various elements of the vehicle identification module 10 .
  • Communication between the vehicle identification module 10 and an on board computer 23 is accomplished through an RS232 communication link 52 which is connected to an SAE bus of the on-board computer system ( FIGS. 1 and 7 ).
  • the RS485 communication link 52 communicates with a UART 54 which in turn communicates with a clock calendar 56 .
  • the memory devices 46 and 48 , the LAN controller 50 and the clock calendar 56 are all connected to the central processing unit 32 by way of a communication bus 58 .
  • the fuel containers of the truck tractor 12 are all provided with uniquely coded passive transponders 722 and the hardwired connections to the fuel containers shown in FIG. 7 are not used.
  • the vehicle identification module 10 is connected to four antennae ( FIGS. 1 and 7 ).
  • a fuel tank inductive coil 26 is associated with one of the fuel tanks of the truck tractor 12 and a second fuel tank coil 76 is associated with a second fuel tank.
  • the association is preferably a hardwired connection, but may be a wireless connection.
  • a third coil, the trailer coil 80 is mounted at the rear of the truck tractor 12 for communication with the trailer 14 as described above.
  • the vehicle identification module 10 includes an appropriate receptacle for a 2K bit memory key 22 from which is downloaded the operator identification code and company unique identification code.
  • a 2K bit nonvolatile memory device 36 contains the identification code of the vehicle identification module 10 and the fuel type required by the truck tractor 12 .
  • the fuel tank coil 26 is positioned near the filler neck of a fuel tank of the truck tractor 12 ( FIGS. 5 and 7 ). Voltage signals from a serial data port 70 of the central processing unit 32 are communicated to the fuel tank coil 26 through a modulator 72 and a coil driver 74 . A signal present at the coil driver 74 will be communicated to the fuel tank coil 26 if the latch 60 has provided the appropriate enable signal to the coil driver 74 . A second fuel tank coil 76 is provided which is driven by a second coil driver 78 . Communication between the truck tractor 12 and the trailer 14 may be accomplished by a trailer coil 80 and a corresponding coil driver 82 as will be described in more detail below.
  • An oil filler neck coil 81 is provided near the engine oil filler neck (not shown) of the engine which is driven by a coil driver 83 .
  • the coil drivers 74 , 78 , 82 , and 83 are also enabled by signals from the latch 60 .
  • the coils 26 , 76 , 80 , and 81 can also function as receivers. Voltage signals induced in the coils 26 , 76 , 80 , and 81 are amplified in an amplifier 84 ( a )- 84 ( d ) and are communicated to the serial data port 70 of the central processing unit 32 through demodulator 86 provided the appropriate enable signal has been received by the amplifier 84 ( a )- 84 ( d ) from the latch 60 .
  • the fuel tank coils 26 and 76 are made of thirteen six-inch diameter turns of twenty-six gauge copper wire that are embedded in a silastic rubber potting material surrounded by a polyethylene cover ( FIG. 7 ).
  • a 0.1 micro farad capacitor is connected across the lead wires of the coil. Together the capacitor and inductance of the coil create a tuned circuit resonant at approximately sixty-one kilohertz.
  • the drive signal is at approximately five volts, peak-to-peak and a frequency of 60 kilohertz for a binary one.
  • the fuel nozzle coil 28 is similarly constructed so that the coils 28 and 26 or 76 are matched for efficient intercommunication ( FIGS. 7 and 14 ).
  • the coils 28 and 26 of 76 described above have a read-write distance of approximately eighteen inches. This limitation on communicative proximity is desirable for the security purposes noted above. In other circumstances where the read-write distance must be greater, for example if the intercommunication coils are mounted on facing surfaces of the truck tractor and an adjacent trailer, a larger diameter coil can be constructed and will function at the above frequencies provided the tuned circuit of the coil and capacitor remains at substantially the same frequency. A pair of fourteen-inch diameter coils have a read-write distance of approximately six feet.
  • a latch 60 is connected to the communication bus 58 and used to operate the several input and output devices. Additionally, the data bus 58 can communicate with an on-board computer 23 such as a data collection device sold by Xata Corporation, Burnsville, Minn., via a second RS485 communication link 62 .
  • An alarm relay 64 is connected to the CPU 32 and operated thereby to sound an alarm (not shown) if an alarm condition is sensed by the central processing unit 32 .
  • a pair of fuel cap sensors 66 and 68 are connected to the central processing unit 32 to send a signal when the corresponding fuel cap has been removed to permit access to a fuel tank of the truck tractor 12 .
  • An oil dipstick removal sensor 41 is connected to the CPU 32 to record the date, time, and operator identification on the vehicle identification module 10 of each time the oil dipstick of the tractor 12 is removed during the monitoring of the oil level.
  • FIG. 17 shows a vehicle transmission module 712 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention coupled to the existing Engine Control Module (ECM) 714 of the truck tractor 12 .
  • ECM Engine Control Module
  • the engine transmission module 712 is provided with a conversion circuit 716 to provide information in a readable form for the CPU 718 to which the conversion circuit 716 is coupled.
  • the CPU 718 is also operably coupled to an auxiliary RS232 device 720 which receives information from RS232 onboard vehicle data capture devices (not shown) and relays them to the CPU 718 .
  • a radio frequency modem 722 provided with a transmitter module 724 and a receiver module 726 for transmitting and receiving information via RF communication.
  • the transmitter module 724 eliminates the optional hardwired connection of the CPU to the inductive coil 26 provided around the filler neck. By eliminating the need for hardwiring an inductive coil around the filler neck of the truck tractor 12 thereby providing an easier installation of the present invention on existing vehicles.
  • the passive transponder 772 is secured close to the filler neck of the truck tractor 12 .
  • the radio frequency modem 722 communicates information via RF communication to the terminal site controller 702 .
  • the saddle pack 768 constantly inquires or “pets” the passive transponder 772 in one second intervals to assure that the nozzle 766 has not become inadvertently removed from the filler neck or that an operator is attempting to deliver fuel into an unauthorized container.
  • Power is supplied to the engine transmission module 712 through a voltage regulator 728 which converts twelve-volt direct current into five-volt direct current.
  • the saddle pack 768 is designed to communicate with both active and passive devices to accommodate whichever device is provided around the filler neck of the truck tractor 12 . If ease of installation is a priority, a passive device is used; if complex data transmission directly from the vehicle identification module 24 to the filler neck is a priority, an active device is used.
  • the vehicle identification module 10 will function essentially as a communication link between the terminal site controller 702 and the ECM 714 ( FIGS. 1 and 7 ). If no on board computer system is present, sensors transmit odometer and engine hour information to the central processing unit 32 of the vehicle identification module 10 .
  • a conversion box 716 may be interfaced with an SAE J1708 Engine Diagnostic Bus 774 to allow the engine diagnostics to be converted to RS-232 and down-loaded ( FIG. 17 ).
  • FIG. 8 A schematic diagram of the trailer identification modules 18 and 20 is illustrated in FIG. 8 .
  • Many of the principal elements of the trailer identification modules 18 and 20 are identical to that of the vehicle identification module 10 and are denoted with 100 series numbers corresponding to the numbers assigned to corresponding elements of the vehicle identification module 10 ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ).
  • Also attached to the data bus 158 is a 64K bit memory key device 159 which can be used to transmit up to 64K bits of information from the memory key device 159 to the trailer identification module 18 or 20 or which can store up to 64K bits of information from the trailer identification module 18 or 20 .
  • the trailer identification module 18 or 20 monitors the condition of a pair of doors of the trailer 14 or 16 , respectively, by way of door open sensors 111 and 113 which are connected to the central processing unit 132 .
  • a plurality of other sensor or transponder units such as the temperature sensors 115 a - 115 c, humidity sensors 117 a - 117 c and a proximity sensor 119 , are used to monitor the temperature and humidity inside the trailer 14 and, with respect to the proximity sensor 119 , the proximity of the rear of the trailer 14 to an unloading device or location.
  • the sensors 115 , 117 , and 119 are analog sensors which produce voltage signals corresponding to the conditions they are sensing.
  • the analog signals are conditioned and sent to an 8 -channel multiplexer and analog digital converter 121 which provides an interface between the central processing unit 132 and the sensors so that information collected by the sensors can be stored or processed by the central processing unit 132 .
  • Additional sensors or transponders could be used for sensing engine operating parameters of the reefer power unit, for example. In the event greater than eight sensors or transponders are used additional multiplexer channels can be added. Newer model vehicle engines equipped with an engine electronic control module 714 could interface into the SAE J1708 Engine Diagnostic Bus 774.
  • a motor driven valve 123 for the control of the air brakes of the trailer 14 is illustrated in FIG. 8 . If no signal is received from the central processing unit 132 , the motor drive valve 123 will remain closed and thus prevent the air brakes from releasing. The brakes of the trailer 14 will thus be applied and prevent the trailer 14 from being moved by a tractor unit. Only if a signal is received from the CPU 132 will the motor driven valve 123 open to permit release of the air brakes and movement of the trailer 14 . At unhook of the trailer 14 from the tractor 12 , the motor driven valve 123 must be driven closed by the operator while a safety button is held closed. Once driven closed, the motor driven valve 123 can only be released if it receives the proper unique identification code from the vehicle identification module 10 .
  • FIG. 9 An automotive module 11 that is similar in construction and operation as the vehicle module 12 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 9 with 200 series figure numbers used to identify elements of the automotive module 11 that correspond to elements of the vehicle identification module 10 and trailer identification module 18 .
  • An oil dipstick removal sensor 237 has been added to record the time and date of removal of the oil dipstick, presumably to check the engine oil level.
  • a keyboard 225 and interface 227 are provided for the manual input of information to the central processing unit 232 .
  • An alphanumeric display 229 is also provided to display information being input from the keyboard 225 and information coming from the central processing unit 232 .
  • an identification module similar to the vehicle identification module 10 and vehicle identification module 11 may be provided on mobile equipment such as a tractor, road grader, dump truck, or any other piece of mobile equipment.
  • a mobile equipment identification module 13 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 10 with 300 series numbers identifying elements of the mobile equipment identification module 13 that correspond to elements of the identification modules 10 and 11 .
  • the vehicle identification module 10 thus functions as an information storage and retrieval device for operating and environmental conditions of the trailers as well as manifest information regarding cargo carried in the trailers.
  • This capability of the vehicle identification module 10 is of particular utility for storing other information unrelated to a fuel delivery transaction.
  • service operations performed on the vehicle can be stored on the vehicle identification module to provide an accumulated service history of the vehicle that is carried with the vehicle itself.
  • a device similar to the trailer identification module 18 or 20 could be associated with an underground storage tank. Sensors or transponders for detecting the presence of leaking fuel from the underground storage tank would be connected to the CPU 132 in the same manner as the sensors 115 - 119 shown in FIG. 8 .
  • the underground storage tank module would thus function as an automatic leakage monitoring system in addition to its two-way fuel delivery transaction identification and storage and network capabilities.
  • a passive transponder is preferably provided near a filler neck of the underground storage tank to receive information from the tank during fueling.
  • a 4-channel multiplexer and analog digital converter 331 is provided for the purpose of permitting the storage and processing of information from transponders or sensors as may be appropriate for the particular piece of mobile equipment to which the identification module 13 is attached.
  • the mobile equipment identification module 13 will function similarly to the identification modules 10 and 11 described above.
  • the invention can also be adapted to function with equipment which use petroleum fuel or other fluids but are not necessarily mobile or used on a frequent or continuous basis. In such circumstances, it is desirable to have an identification module which is of low power consumption so that it can be battery operated over a reasonable lifetime.
  • a schematic diagram of a low-power threshold detector identification module 15 is illustrated in FIG. 11 with 400 series numbers identifying elements that correspond to elements of the other identification modules.
  • the central processing unit is a low power CPU 432 with read only program memory and a serial data port 470 . It is interconnected with a nonvolatile RAM memory device 441 to which is written identification and authorization information at the time of manufacture.
  • the low-power identification module can transmit information from the CPU 432 via a fuel tank coil 426 by way of a modulator 472 and coil driver 474 .
  • the central processing unit 432 is turned on only when a threshold detector 443 senses that a fuel nozzle has been inserted into the filler neck of the equipment to which the low power identification module 15 has been attached.
  • the threshold detector 443 activates a voltage switch 445 which then supplies power from a lithium battery 447 to the CPU 432 .
  • a docking station 770 Illustrated schematically in FIG. 12 is a docking station 770 , with 500 series numbers identifying elements corresponding to the elements of the other identification modules described previously.
  • the docking station 770 is provided on the fuel dispenser 764 within communicative proximity to the fuel nozzle module 24 when the nozzle 766 is docked in the dispenser 764 .
  • the docking station 770 is provided with a fuel docking module 31 which controls the operation of the docking station 770 .
  • the fuel docking module 31 has an alternating current power supply 587 which feeds into a power supply controller 589 .
  • the fuel docking module 31 also has a power antennae 591 coupled to the power supply controller 589 to supply power inductively to the fuel nozzle module 24 when the nozzle 766 is docked in the docking station 770 .
  • the docking station 770 can also initialize the fuel nozzle module 24 when the nozzle 766 is docked in the docking station 770 .
  • a CPU 532 of the docking station 770 is provided with information regarding the pump number with which the docking station 770 is associated, the type of fuel associated with the dispenser 764 , and information regarding communication with the terminal site controller 702 .
  • a replacement saddle pack may quickly be substituted without the need for a complex reprogramming procedure.
  • the replacement saddle pack is simply attached to the nozzle 766 and moved into communicative proximity with the docking station 770 . All of the initialization information needed by the fuel nozzle module 24 is then downloaded from the docking station 770 to the fuel nozzle module 24 leaving the saddle pack 768 ready for the next fueling operation.
  • FIG. 13 An alternative embodiment of the docking station 770 is illustrated in FIG. 13 which shows a stand-alone charging circuit whereby instead of a regulated direct current output to the power antennae 591 , the output would consist of a regulated alternating current signal across a tuned circuit. This tuned circuit would then be inductively coupled to the fuel nozzle module 24 when the nozzle 766 is docked into the fuel dispenser 764 to provide charging power for the fuel nozzle module 24 .
  • the docking station 770 may be used simply for a recharge only docking station, the CPU 532 may be replaced. A passive transponder may then be used to identify the docking station 770 to the saddle pack 768 . When the saddle pack 768 comes within charging proximity of the docking station 770 , the docking station 770 increases power output, thereby charging the saddle pack 768 .
  • the docking station 770 is hardwired or coupled via wireless communication to a printer 792 as shown in FIG. 13 .
  • the docking station 770 is also either hardwired or coupled via wireless communication to the terminal site controller 702 which allows information regarding a fluid delivery transaction to be transmitted from the terminal site controller 702 through the docking station 770 to the printer to print out a hard copy of the fuel delivery transaction for the operator.
  • a fuel delivery operation between the truck tractor 12 which carries the vehicle identification module 10 and a fuel pump location having a fuel nozzle module 24 begins when the truck tractor 12 pulls into a fuel delivery location.
  • the terminal site controller 702 polls the vehicle identification module 10 to receive engine diagnostics and transponder codes via RF communication.
  • the operator removes the nozzle 766 from the docking station 770 of the fuel dispenser 764 and inputs an operator code into the keyboard 744 of the saddle pack 768 .
  • the operator code may be placed on a magnetic strip card (not shown) and inputted via the magnetic card reader 786 .
  • the operator code identifies the operator and authorizes fuel delivery.
  • the terminal site controller 702 relays this information to the saddle pack 768 which displays the information on the liquid crystal display 742 , informing an operator that the filling procedure may begin.
  • the operator code may be stored on the passive transponder 772 and automatically confirmed when the fuel nozzle 766 is placed into the filler neck of the fuel tank as described below.
  • the operator will remove the fuel cap from the fuel tank of the truck tractor 12 .
  • the operator will then insert the fuel nozzle 766 of the fuel dispenser 764 into the filler neck of the fuel tank.
  • the passive transponder 772 will receive an inquire signal from the fuel nozzle coil 28 .
  • the passive transponder 772 will transmit its unique identification code to the fuel nozzle module 24 . If the unique identification code is recognized by the terminal site controller 702 , the delivery of fuel will begin.
  • the time and date of the same will be recorded at the terminal site controller 702 , and the previously recorded diagnostic information, received from the vehicle identification module 10 , including the truck tractor 12 engine hours and odometer reading, and the license number and state code of any trailers 14 and/or 16 , is transmitted to the saddle pack 768 for display to the operator if requested by the operator.
  • the fuel nozzle module 24 continues to require a unique identification code from the passive transponder 772 . If no unique identification code is received, the fuel delivery will be discontinued. In the preferred embodiment, an inquire signal is transmitted at every one second interval. Accordingly, if the fuel nozzle 766 is withdrawn or becomes inadvertently removed from the filler neck of an authorized vehicle, the delivery of fuel will be promptly interrupted.
  • the turbine flow sensor 774 positioned within the nozzle 766 sends a signal to the fuel nozzle module 24 which corresponds to a preselected volume of delivered fuel, e.g., ten pulses for every one-tenth of a gallon. These pulses are translated into a volume of fluid delivered and displayed on the liquid crystal display 742 . In this way, the operator can keep track of the volume of fuel delivered to an authorized vehicle by monitoring the liquid crystal display 742 . From the saddle pack 768 the volume information is transmitted via radio link to the terminal site controller 702 . This information may also be transmitted from the terminal site controller 702 to the vehicle identification module 10 where it may be stored for later retrieval by the operator or vehicle owner.
  • a preselected volume of delivered fuel e.g., ten pulses for every one-tenth of a gallon.
  • the terminal site controller 702 can also request and receive via radio frequency communication complete diagnostic engine data from the SAE J1708 Engine Diagnostic Bus 774 via the ECM 714 of the truck tractor 12 if the truck tractor 12 is equipped with a radio frequency modem.
  • the keyboard 744 can be used if fuel is to be delivered to a truck tractor that is not equipped with a passive transponder. In this mode, an override unique identification code would be inputted into the keyboard 744 by the operator to permit a fuel delivery operation to proceed in an override condition.
  • Information from either the saddle pack 768 or the vehicle identification module 10 may be transmitted to the terminal site controller 702 via low power radio frequency. From the terminal site controller 702 , the information may be transmitted to a remote location such as a main frame company computer via telephone lines in the usual method or via cellular telephone intercommunication. Any or all of the diagnostic information received from the vehicle identification module 10 may be forwarded from the terminal site controller 702 to the saddle pack 768 for display to the operator.
  • a hard copy of the fuel delivery transaction is printed by a printer connected either to the personal computer of the terminal site controller 702 or to the docking station 770 . The hard copy may be stored by the owner of the service station, with a copy going to the truck tractor operator and to the owner of the truck tractor 12 .
  • a printer may be hardwired or connected via wireless communication to the docking station 770 to provide a hard copy of the fuel delivery transaction directly to the operator. If the terminal site controller 702 is connected so as to transmit information to a remote computer, the invention can be used to provide automatic data capture to allow for electronic funds transfer or ACH payment of fuel purchases and to permit generation of accounts receivable, inventory, fleet management, stocks depletion, and excise tax accounting reports of interest to the owner of the truck tractor 12 and of the service station.
  • this information is also provided to operator via the display 742 during a fueling operation.
  • diagnostic or promotional information may be shown on the display 742 .
  • Information and data may be exchanged between the vehicle identification module 10 and the trailer identification module 18 either by way of a hard-wired RS232 or RS485 communication link or by intercommunicating coils similar to the fuel tank and fuel nozzle coils described above or using wireless radio communication.
  • the advantage of the intercommunicating coils is that no independent, hard-wired connection is required, so that the connection is not subject to degradation under the severe environmental and use conditions experienced by over-the-road trucks.
  • a truck tractor coil is mounted on the rear of the truck tractor so that it will be in communicating proximity to a trailer coil that will be mounted on the front end portion of the trailer 14 .
  • the tractor coil could be mounted under the fifth-wheel hub and above the frame of the tractor; the trailer coil would then be mounted on the trailer floor so that it will be above the tractor coil when the trailer is connected to the fifth wheel.
  • the tractor coil is embedded in the casting of the fifth-wheel hub and the trailer coil in the fifth-wheel plate of the trailer.
  • Information collected by the trailer identification module 18 can thus be communicated to the vehicle identification module 10 and, conversely, odometer and time and date information can be transmitted from the vehicle identification module 10 to the trailer identification module 18 .
  • a similar set of coils are provided between the first trailer 14 and the second trailer 16 so that intercommunication between the vehicle identification module 10 and the second trailer identification module 20 can occur.
  • the fuel nozzle module 24 is also provided with an identification code which is preferably software set on either the EEPROM 647 or the CPU 632 . Because the identification code is set by software, it may be reset remotely from the terminal site controller 702 or directly from the keyboard 744 . This software setting of the identification code allows the identification code to be quickly changed without having to open up the saddle pack 768 .
  • a unique identification code is transmitted from the truck tractor 12 to the trailer 14 through the coils 80 and 126 . If the trailer identification module 18 recognizes the unique identification code, it will respond with its resident identification code and totalized mileage. This information is stored at the vehicle identification module 10 . If manifest information has been stored at the trailer identification module 18 , it will also be transmitted for storage at the vehicle identification module upon hookup.
  • the vehicle identification module will request a systems check of the conditions, for example temperature and humidity, inside the refrigerated trailer. Such information is available on the trailer identification module from its sensors 115 and 117 . Additionally, whether the doors are open on the refrigerated trailer could be monitored as well as fuel level in the engine which powers the refrigeration unit of the refrigerated trailer.
  • the trailer identification module 18 is connected to the electrical system of the truck tractor 12 .
  • the trailer identification module 14 senses the loss of power and built in capacitors provide the power to write data to nonvolatile memory of the trailer identification module 18 for storage. In this way, total accumulated mileage of the trailer 14 is always available from the trailer identification module 18 even though it may not be always powered. If the trailer 14 is a refrigerated trailer, power will be available from the refrigerated unit.
  • An information and power input module is located at the rear of the trailer 14 and communicates with the trailer identification module 18 .
  • Information regarding the manifest or cargo to be carried by the trailer 14 can be input via this communication linkage which is connected to the RS485 driver 152 of the trailer identification module 18 .
  • a theft prevention function is built in to the trailer identification module 18 . If, at the time of hookup, the trailer identification module 18 receives an appropriate company unique identification code, the motor driven valve 123 is opened and the air line is opened to the air brakes of the trailer 14 . When the truck tractor 12 is unhooked from the trailer 14 , the operator will hold a switch down and manually drive the solenoid to the closed position to put the trailer in a “safe” condition.
  • the automotive identification module 11 ( FIG. 9 ) functions very similarly to the vehicle identification module 10 , and as explained above, has similar components.
  • a 2K memory key 22 is inserted by an operator into an appropriate receptacle of the automotive identification module 11 .
  • the automotive identification module records the operator's identification number and unique identification code and records on the memory key 22 the time and date every time that the automobile engine is started and stopped along with a chart of accounts and a business or personal mileage designation. Additionally, the vehicle identification code is written to the memory key 22 upon its insertion by the operator.
  • a 64K memory key 259 is used with the automotive identification module 11 to act as a portable random access memory device for data and information storage and downloading of such information which is written to the key by the automotive identification module 11 .
  • Inputs from the odometer 240 and ignition transponders 238 are written to the memory key 259 when the vehicle is started and stopped so as to provide a corresponding log of miles and engine hours along with the clock time of starting and stopping of the automobile.
  • An optional keyboard 225 can be used to provide a means for inputting a chart of accounts and for selecting a credit card identification code which is stored in the memory of the automobile identification module 11 to provide authorization for payment of fuel via the stored credit card information.
  • This credit card information can be accessed only through the inductive link between the coils of the fuel nozzle and the fuel filler neck. While the automobile identification module 11 is primarily powered by power from the battery of the automobile, a lithium battery 244 is provided for backup power for the clock/calendar module 246 .
  • An additional application of the invention is the mobile construction equipment identification module 13 ( FIG. 10 ).
  • a 2K bit memory key 322 or a 64K bit memory key may be used to input the company unique identification code for fueling, the operator identification code and other such information for downloading to the mobile construction equipment identification module 13 . All other features remain substantially unchanged.
  • An additional capacity is provided by the four channel multiplexer and analog to digital converter 331 which permits four transponders to be connected to the central processing unit 332 for monitoring of operating conditions of the construction equipment on which the identification module 13 is mounted. For example, engine oil level could be monitored and connected to an alarm, and so on.
  • the module 13 has particular applicability in the airline industry wherein the fuel filler necks of the airplane tanks are equipped with passive transponders 326 and fuel is delivered from a mobile truck equipped with a fuel nozzle module 24 as described above.
  • the fuel nozzle module 24 would communicate and interact with a module (not shown) located within the truck to ensure that only the proper type of fuel was delivered, to automatically record on the airplane and at the terminal site controller 702 the type of fuel delivered, the date and time, quantity, operator identification, and other useful information.
  • the invention also contemplates a low power threshold detector module 15 ( FIG. 11 ) for use on equipment which does not include a battery or other power means.
  • the low power threshold detector module 15 has recorded in nonvolatile RAM 441 a company, vehicle, and fuel type code. This code is recognized by fuel pumps that are owned by the owner of the equipment on which the low power threshold detector module 15 is mounted.
  • the low power identification module 15 remains inert until a threshold detector 443 is breached after which power is provided from a lithium battery 447 through a voltage switch 445 to a central processing unit 432 .
  • the vehicle identification module 10 may be read by a nonfueling device, such as a laptop computer 754 coupled to a bar code wand 756 and a low power radio data link 758 similar to those described above.
  • a pen key 760 such as that supplied by Norand®, which incorporates a radio data link and a bar code reader, may be used for data collection and processing for information received from the vehicle identification module 10 and for communication back and forth with the terminal site controller 702 .
  • This alternative embodiment allows service personnel to quickly diagnose problems associated with the truck tractor 12 and to receive information from the terminal site controller 702 regarding periodic maintenance such as oil changes and tune-ups.
  • the low power radio data link 758 may also be coupled to a network card 782 which allows the laptop computer 754 to communicate directly with a computer network.
  • fuel may delivered to vehicles by a mobile pump truck (not shown).
  • a pump truck terminal site controller 17 which is illustrated schematically in FIG. 19 , with 800 series numbers identifying elements corresponding to similar elements of the other identification modules described previously.
  • the pump truck site controller 17 is preferably located in the cab of the mobile truck.
  • the pump truck terminal site controller 17 differs in that the CPU 832 is coupled to a latch 860 which, in turn, is coupled to several control relays which are positioned between a pump (not shown) and several hoses 762 . As in the aforementioned embodiments of the present invention, each hose 762 is secured to a nozzle 766 having a saddle pack 768 . As each control relay is opened, fuel is allowed to flow from the pump through the associated hose 762 .
  • the nozzle 766 which dispenses the desired fluid is removed from the associated docking station 770 and placed within a filler neck of a fluid container (not shown).
  • the saddle pack 768 sends a power signal to the passive transponder 772 associated with the fluid container to obtain an identification code.
  • the saddle pack 768 transmits this information to the pump truck site controller 17 which cross checks the code to assure fluid is being delivered to an authorized vehicle and to check the proper fluid type which is to be delivered.
  • the pump truck terminal site controller 17 signals the latch 860 to energize the correct control relay to allow the appropriate fluid to be dispensed.
  • the pump truck site controller 17 Upon actuation of the proper control relay, the correct fluid travels to the nozzle 766 where the operator may dispense the fluid into the fluid container. If the operator has inadvertently placed the wrong nozzle into the fluid container, the pump truck site controller 17 will not actuate the associated control relay, thereby preventing an incorrect fluid from being dispensed into the fluid container.
  • the pump truck site controller 17 is preferably provided with an override mechanism (not shown) to permit the delivery of fluid to authorized vehicles which do not have an appropriate passive transponder or other identification module.
  • the override mechanism may be triggered by the operator by inputting a code into the saddle pack 768 which is communicated to the pump truck site controller 17 .
  • the pump truck site controller 17 is also preferably provided with a global positioning satellite receiver 833 coupled to the serial data port 870 which allows the recordation of the delivery site for a particular fluid delivery transaction.
  • the global positioning satellite receiver 833 may also be used in association with the stationary terminal site controller 702 , but there is a particular advantage in the mobile situation given that subsequent mobile fueling operations rarely take place in the same geographic location.
  • the pump truck site controller 17 is also coupled to the turbine flow sensor 774 or other fluid flow monitor positioned within the stream of fluid delivery.
  • the turbine flow sensor 774 produces a signal which passes through a conditioner to obtain a digital output which is forwarded to a multiplex card connected to the bus 858 of the pump truck terminal site controller 17 .
  • the preferred embodiment described herein is a liquid petroleum fuel delivery system.
  • the invention can, of course, be used with a delivery system for any fluid, such as water, compressed gases, pharmaceuticals via intravenous injection, ammonia, solvents, engine oil, transmission fluid, paint, beverages, herbicides and pesticides, and so on.

Abstract

A fluid delivery nozzle for wireless communication to either an active or a passive device located on a vehicle and for wireless communication from the fluid delivery nozzle to a central location for storage of vehicle data. Upon initiation of a fluid delivery transaction, a communication link is established between a vehicle communication device and the central location and between a fluid container of the vehicle and the fluid delivery nozzle. The information received from the vehicle and container is relayed to the central location to authorize delivery of a fluid to the vehicle. Information is also transferred from the central location back and forth to the fluid delivery nozzle to update and store information regarding the fluid delivery transaction.

Description

    CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • This application is continuation of application Ser. No. 09/566,972, entitled “Fluid Delivery Control Nozzle”, filed May 9, 2000, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/872,349, entitled “Fluid Delivery Control Nozzle”, filed Jun. 10, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,180, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/402,199, entitled “Fluid Delivery Control Nozzle”, filed Mar. 10, 1995, now abandoned, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates generally to a nozzle for controlling the delivery of fluid to a container or reservoir and, more specifically, to a nozzle for the exchange of security, identification, and transaction information between a container, such as a fuel or other fluid storage tank, and a fluid delivery system.
  • The delivery and control of the delivery of fluids is ubiquitous, varying from water, such as for irrigation, liquefied petroleum gas (propane), oxygen and other gases, and petroleum based fuels such as gasoline and diesel fuel. As a specific example, many vehicles are operated as a part of a commercial enterprise wherein detailed and accurate records are needed to account properly for the use of the vehicle and to support income tax return filings. Very often the vehicle is owned other than by the operator and fuel used by the vehicle is purchased by the absentee owner at the time a fuel delivery is made. Accurate and reliable records are necessary to assure that the appropriate vehicle receives the purchased fuel and, to the extent possible, that the miles logged by the vehicle correspond to actual commercial, not private, use.
  • To address these requirements of fluid delivery and control, devices such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,819 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,522 provide means for radio frequency communication between a fluid delivery device and a fluid container. To increase the efficiency and desirability of these aforementioned devices, it would be beneficial to provide means for communicating information received during a fluid delivery directly from the fluid delivery nozzle via a wireless communicative link. It would be additionally desirable to allow an operator to input information directly into the nozzle during a fueling operation and to have information displayed on the nozzle for viewing by the operator. The following specification and claims address these supplemental advantages.
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention includes a fluid delivery nozzle for delivering fluid from a fluid delivery device to a fluid container and for communicating information regarding a fluid delivery transaction to a remote device. A nozzle capable of controlling flow of fluid from a fluid delivery device to a fluid container is provided. Provided on the nozzle are input means for allowing information regarding the fluid delivery transaction to be inputted into the nozzle. Coupled to the input means are transmitting means for transmitting the information regarding the fluid delivery transaction. Also provided on the nozzle are display means for allowing information regarding the fluid delivery transaction to be displayed on the nozzle. Receiving means are coupled to the display means for receiving information regarding the fluid delivery transaction.
  • In a preferred embodiment, a fluid container with an associated information storage and retrieval device is provided. A first information storage and retrieval device is secured to the nozzle. Associated with a remote location is a second information storage and retrieval device. Means are associated with the second information storage and retrieval device for transmitting information relative to a fluid delivery transaction from the second information storage and retrieval device to the first information storage and retrieval device.
  • Means are associated with the first information storage and retrieval device for wireless communication with the second information storage and retrieval device. The input means are an operator input keyboard associated with the first information storage and retrieval device which allows an operator to input information directly from the nozzle during the fluid delivery transaction. The display means are a liquid crystal display associated with the first information storage and retrieval device to give the operator information regarding the fluid delivery transaction, previous fluid deliveries, and diagnostics relating to the vehicle to which the fluid container is attached.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid delivery control system which eliminates hardwire connection between a fluid delivery nozzle and a fluid delivery device.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid delivery control apparatus which may be quickly and inexpensively installed on an existing fluid nozzle.
  • A further object of the present invention is to allow existing fluid nozzles to interface with existing information transmission devices provided on various vehicles.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to provide operator control of a fluid delivery transaction directly from a fluid nozzle.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide feedback to an operator from a fluid nozzle during a fluid delivery transaction.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide means on a fluid nozzle for communicating with either a passive or active transponder regarding information concerning a fluid delivery transaction.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide means for inductively charging a fluid nozzle when the fluid nozzle is docked into a docking station.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained below with references to the accompanying drawings in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical view of a vehicle and two trailers on which transponders have been installed and including a schematic block diagram of the exchange of information between a saddle pack, a terminal site controller, and the vehicle;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the saddle pack of the present invention;
  • FIG. 3 is a side elevation in partial phantom showing the saddle pack of FIG. 1 secured to a fluid delivery nozzle;
  • FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the display and input panel of the saddle pack of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 5 is a side elevation in partial phantom showing an alternative embodiment of the present invention having a flow meter integrated into the fluid delivery nozzle;
  • FIG. 6 is a diagrammatical view of the saddle pack and the communicative links between the saddle pack, the fluid delivery device, and the terminal site controller;
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a central processing unit and peripherals of a truck tractor vehicle identification module with which the saddle pack of FIG. 2 may communicate.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a truck trailer identification module with which the truck tractor vehicle identification module may communicate;
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an automobile identification module with which the saddle pack of FIG. 2 may communicate;
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a mobile equipment identification module with which the saddle pack of FIG. 2 may communicate;
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a low power threshold detector module with which the saddle pack of FIG. 2 may communicate;
  • FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a fuel docking station which charges the saddle pack of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the fuel docking module of FIG. 12;
  • FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of the fuel nozzle module contained within the saddle pack of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a fuel nozzle module contained within the saddle pack of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of a terminal site controller with which the saddle pack of FIG. 1 may communicate;
  • FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of a vehicle identification module of the vehicle of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of alternative readers for communicating with the vehicle identification module of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of a fuel pump truck module of the apparatus of the present invention;
  • FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of a passive transponder associated with a fluid container;
  • FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of an electrical circuit that is added to the fluid delivery module of FIG. 20 for use with the passive transponder; and
  • FIG. 22 is a diagrammatical view of a jumpered programming plug communicating with the vehicle identification module and the passive transponder.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a nozzle saddle pack 768 of the present invention secured to a standard fuel nozzle 766. A truck tractor 12 (FIG. 1) is provided with a vehicle identification module 10 and a passive transponder 772 secured near a fuel tank orifice 773 of the truck tractor 12.
  • The saddle pack 768 of the present invention is provided with a fuel nozzle module 24 which is coupled to a fuel nozzle coil 28 (FIG. 3). The fuel nozzle coil 28 communicates via radio frequency communication with the passive transponder 772 upon insertion of the nozzle 766 into the fuel tank orifice 773 of the truck tractor 12. The passive transponder 772 transmits a unique identification code to the fuel nozzle module 24 located within the saddle pack 768 (FIGS. 1-3).
  • The nozzle 766 is connected by a fuel hose 762 to a stationary fuel dispenser 764 (FIG. 6). The saddle pack 768 communicates the unique identification code via radio frequency transmission to a terminal site controller 702. The terminal site controller polls the vehicle identification module 10 to receive the passive transponder identification number and diagnostics relating to the truck tractor 12. The terminal site controller 702 correlates the unique identification codes for a match and communicates the diagnostics to the saddle pack 768 which sent the unique identification code.
  • The terminal site controller 702 is typically located within a one hundred meter radius of the fuel dispenser 764 and is capable of storing data received from the fuel dispenser 764, the saddle pack 768 and the vehicle identification module 10. From the terminal site controller 702, the information may either be printed out, stored until a later date, or transmitted over telephone lines or the like to the appropriate financial institution for payment to the fuel pump owner for the fluid delivery made to the truck tractor 12.
  • A diagrammatical view of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1, particularly, a preferred embodiment wherein a vehicle identification module 10 is located on board a truck tractor 12 to which is attached a first trailer vehicle 14 and a second trailer vehicle 16. During the course of operation of the truck tractor 12 and associated trailers 14 and 16, it is desirable to collect, store and transmit a variety of data regarding the vehicle via radio frequency communication. While in the preferred embodiment of the present invention information is transmitted via radio frequency communication, information may be transferred by any suitable means, including, but not limited to, hardwire, infrared, surface acoustic wave, etc. It is desirable to control refueling operations so that fuel delivered to the vehicle is properly recorded and charged, to prevent theft of fuel, and to provide an easy and convenient method for recording and communicating such information to a central processing location.
  • In summary, information is collected by sensors located on the truck tractor 12 and associated trailers 14 and 16, or via direct communication from outside devices, and is stored on identification modules. The vehicle identification module 10 is located on the truck tractor 12 and acts as a central collection point. A first trailer identification module 18 is located on the first trailer 14 and a second trailer identification module 20 is located on the second trailer 16. The trailer identification modules 18 and 20 are in communication with the vehicle identification module 10. Information and data collected on the trailer identification modules 18 and 20 may either be communicated at once to the vehicle identification module 10 or may be stored for later communication.
  • In operation, an operator will enter the truck tractor 12 and will insert an operator identification module 22 into the truck tractor identification module 10. While this detailed description references a truck tractor 12, it should be noted that any fluid container, such as a beer keg, herbicide drum, or paint canister, may be used in the present invention. The operator's name, drivers license number, credit information and usage unique identification code will be transmitted from the operator identification module 22 to the vehicle identification module 10. The operator identification module 22 is preferably a passive transponder, but may be any other means for inputting an operator identification into the vehicle identification module 10. If the unique identification code is correctly identified by the vehicle identification module 10 as an authorized code, the operator will be allowed to start the engine and drive the truck tractor 12. During operation of the truck tractor 12, the vehicle identification module 10 will collect and record the date and time when the engine was started, miles driven by the truck tractor 12, hours of operation of the engine, and other information as will be described in further detail below.
  • As described above, a trailer identification module 18 is located on board the first trailer 14. The first trailer identification module 18 has recorded on it a trailer identification number and the accumulated mileage that the first trailer 14 has been pulled by a tractor. Upon connection of the truck tractor 12 to the first trailer 14, a radio frequency (RF) communication link is established between the vehicle identification module 10 and the trailer identification module 18. The vehicle identification module 10 reads from the trailer identification module 18 the trailer identification number and accumulated mileage total. Additionally, the vehicle identification module 10 authorizes the release of the air brakes of the trailer 14, as will be described in further detail below, to allow the trailer 14 to be towed behind the truck tractor 12. As the trailer 14 is towed, the distance traveled is communicated from the vehicle identification module to the trailer identification module 18 where it is used to increment the accumulated mileage. Upon disconnect of the truck tractor 12 from the first trailer 14, the accumulated mileage is written to nonvolatile memory on the trailer identification module 18 where it will be retained until the trailer 14 is again connected to a truck tractor that is equipped with the appropriate apparatus of the present invention.
  • The second trailer identification module 20 is located on board the second trailer 16 and functions identically to that of the first trailer identification module 18 upon its connection to the truck tractor 12 behind the first trailer 14. The trailer identification numbers, elapsed mileage on the trailers 14 and 16, and other information may be stored at the vehicle identification module 10 for bookkeeping and data collection purposes as will be described below.
  • The nonvolatile memory of the trailer identification modules 18 and 20 can also be used to store manifest information regarding the contents of the corresponding trailer, either when such contents are loaded or from the vehicle identification module 10. Such manifest information, as well as other information stored in the nonvolatile memory of the trailer identification modules 18 and 20, can be communicated to the vehicle identification module 10, to a remote device via a communication link, and/or to a portable storage device such as a memory key available from Datakey Corporation, Burnsville, Minn., or a passive transponder with embedded memory such as is available from Texas Instruments®, Indala®, and NDC Automation, Inc., 3101 Latrobe Drive, Charlotte, N.C.
  • As shown in FIG. 22, the passive transponder 772 and vehicle identification module 10 are preferably not directly coupled to one another. Accordingly, after the passive transponder 772 has been installed on the truck tractor 12, a hand-held transponder scanner/jumpered programmer 784 is used to poll the passive transponder 772 to read the transponder's unique factory installed identification code or an operator specified code if the transponder is read/write. The programmer 784 is preferably provided with a jumpered programming plug 786 which is plugged into a radio frequency modem 722 coupled to the vehicle identification module 10. The programmer 784 then downloads the identification code of the passive transponders 772 into the vehicle identification module 10 through the RS-232 serial port to flash memory. This procedure is repeated with all other fluid container passive transponders 772 on the truck tractor 12 until all of the unique identification codes are stored on the vehicle identification module 10 and correlated with their location on the truck tractor 12.
  • A refueling operation will now be described. In the most common situation, the truck tractor 12 will drive up to a fuel delivery location such as a fuel service station. As the truck tractor 12 approaches the fuel delivery location, the terminal site controller 702 polls the vehicle identification module 10 to receive engine diagnostics along with all of the unique identification codes of the passive transponders 772 located on the truck tractor 12. The engine diagnostics may include, inter alia, hours of engine operation, miles traveled, fuel consumed, fuel cost, dates and times of engine operation, dates and times of fueling operations, manifest information regarding the cargo carried in the vehicles, operator information, and the like. A fuel nozzle module 24 (FIG. 3) is located within a saddle pack 768 which is releasably secured to a fuel nozzle 766. The nozzle 766 is connected to a fuel dispenser 764 by a hose 762 and is used to deliver fuel to the truck tractor 12 (FIG. 6). The fuel nozzle 766 is inserted into a filler neck of a fuel tank (not shown) of the truck tractor 12 during the fueling operation. Associated with the filler neck of the truck tractor 12 is the passive transponder 772. An inductive fuel nozzle coil 28 is associated with the fuel nozzle module 24 of the saddle pack 768 to poll the passive transponder (FIGS. 3 and 14).
  • A passive transponder, indicated generally at 772 in FIG. 20, stores identification information for subsequent, repeated transmission to a fluid delivery device for the purpose of authorizing a fluid delivery transaction and for record keeping purposes regarding the transaction. The passive transponder 772 has no independent battery or other power source. Operational energy is received from an active communication module, indicated generally at 1000 in FIG. 21, and associated with the fuel nozzle module 24 (FIG. 3).
  • Identification information, such as the identity of a fluid container, fluid type for the container, and equipment type is stored in a programmable, read-only memory device 902. In the preferred embodiment, 64 bits of information are stored on the PROM 902. Alternatively, the passive transponder 772 may serve as an identification device for a person rather than a fluid container. In such an instance, the information stored on the PROM 902 would be information identifying the person. In either event, the information is used for security and record keeping purposes.
  • Operational energy for the passive transponder 772 is transmitted from the active communication module 1000 (FIG. 21). A coil driver 1002 is connected to the CPU 532,632 or 832 in a similar manner as the coil drivers 574,674 or 474. When the coil driver 1002 is enabled, a 153.6 kHz signal from the clock oscillator 1004 drives an LC circuit including a power transmit coil 1006 and a capacitor 1008 selected to tune the LC circuit to 153.6 kHz. The power transmit coil 1006 generates an RF signal at 153.6 kHz.
  • The passive transponder 772 includes a power receive coil 904 across which is connected a capacitor 906 selected to tune the coil to receive the 153.6 kHz power signal. The signal is passed through a rectifier 908 which puts out a supply voltage for powering the other components of the passive transponder 772. The 153.6 kHz signal received by the power receive coil 904 is also sent to a counter 910 which controls the PROM 902 and sends a 4800 Hz signal to a phase shift key encoder 912 and a 76.8 kHz signal (one-half of 153.6 kHz) to a FSK modulator 914. The FSK encoder 912 and modulator 914 transmit the information stored on the PROM 902 through an LC circuit tuned to 76.8 kHz including a signal transmitting coil 916 and an appropriate capacitor 918. In the preferred embodiment, the 64 bits of information is transmitted in approximately 100 milliseconds.
  • The clock oscillator 1004 of the active communication module 1000 (FIG. 21) sends a 76.8 kHz signal to a synchronous demodulator 1010 which is connected to an LC circuit tuned at 76.8 kHz, including a capacitor 1014 and a signal receiving coil 1012. The coil 1012 may be any of the coils 26, 76 or 80 of the vehicle identification module 10
  • (FIG. 7), coils 126, 176 or 180 of the trailer identification module 18 (FIG. 8), coil 226 of the automotive module 11 (FIG. 9), or coil 326 of the mobile equipment module 13 (FIG. 10).
  • The signal from the demodulator 1010 passes through a low pass filter 1016 and through a phase shift key decoder 1018 to a shift register 1020 which is connected to the data bus of any of the CPUs 32, 132, 232, 332 or 432, depending on the application.
  • In a working embodiment used to identify a person, the power transmit coil 1006 and the power receiving coil 904 are approximately rectangular, having dimensions of three-fourths inch by two and one-half inches, consisting of eleven turns of thirty gauge copper wire. If a one-half amp signal is put through the power transmit coil 1006, an effective distance between the coils has been found to be approximately one-half inch, which results in a five milliamp signal at the rectifier 908 which is sufficient to power the passive identification module 900 to transmit its 64 bits of stored information.
  • If used to identify a fuel container, the size of the passive transponder 772 can be substantially increased to increase correspondingly the communication distance between the power receive coil 904 and the signal transmitting coil 916 and the corresponding coils of the active communication module 1000. Sufficient power can be transmitted over about six inches if the power transmit and receive coils are approximately five inches in diameter. The personal identification embodiment can be used to authorize a fuel delivery transaction to a fuel container that is not equipped with an identification module. Alternatively, the person identification embodiment can be used either in conjunction with a passive transponder 772 associated with the fuel container or any of the modules discussed above.
  • The passive identification module thus functions like an identification card but which can be “petted” and read at a distance, permits the components of the active communication module 1000 to be completely sealed from the environment, is tamper proof, and can identify either a fuel container or an authorized person attempting to initiate a fuel delivery transaction.
  • Although the passive transponder 772 is used in the preferred embodiment, the active communication module 1000 with an inductive coil 26 may be used to transmit a unique identification code. The alternative inductive coil 26 would be in direct communication with the vehicle identification module 10 and in inductive communication with the fuel nozzle module 24 via the fuel nozzle coil 28 (FIGS. 3 and 14). Voltage signals present in either active communication module 1000 or the fuel nozzle coil 28 would be transmitted to and received when the two coils are in communicating proximity. In this manner, the vehicle identification module 10 and the fuel nozzle module 24 could intercommunicate directly during a fuel delivery operation.
  • In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic card reader 786 is incorporated into the housing 728 of the saddle pack 768 and coupled to the fuel nozzle module 24 to allow the operator to identify the operator and/or the truck tractor 12 if either one is not equipped with a passive transponder and/or to allow for automatic payment of fuel.
  • In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, upon insertion of the fuel nozzle 766 into the filler neck of the truck tractor 12, the fuel nozzle module 24 sends a power signal to the passive transponder 772 (FIGS. 1 and 3). In response to the power signal, the passive transponder 772 transmits a unique identification code to the fuel nozzle module 24 together with the unique identification code of the passive transponder 772. The fuel nozzle module 24 sends the unique identification code from the saddle pack 768 via a 916.5 MHz radio signal to a terminal site controller 702. Preferably, the fuel nozzle module 24 sends the information via a low power radio data link 667 contained within the saddle pack 768. While a spread spectrum radio on a PCMCIA card has been found to work well in the present invention, any suitable communication means may be used, including, but not limited to, hardwired, cellular, lan card, or other known wireless communication means. If the terminal site controller 702 matches the unique identification code of the passive transponder with the unique identification code stored on the vehicle identification module 10, the terminal site controller 702 activates the fuel dispenser 764 via a hardwired or wireless connection. In addition to initiating fuel delivery, the terminal site controller relays the diagnostic information to the appropriate saddle pack 768 via wireless communication (FIGS. 1 and 3).
  • Before delivery of the fuel, the operator may input either a dollar amount or a volume amount into the keyboard 744 on the saddle pack 768. This information is transferred via radio frequency communication to the terminal site controller 702 which automatically starts fuel delivery and stops fuel delivery after the specified dollar amount or volume of fuel has been delivered. This automatic shutoff feature allows the operator to leave the fueling site during the fueling process without the risk of overfilling the truck tractor 12.
  • An additional saddle pack 768 may be attached to a satellite nozzle (not shown) if it is desired to fill two or more tanks of the truck tractor 12 simultaneously. Every tank of the truck tractor 12 is preferably equipped with a separate one of the passive transponders 772 with each passive transponder 772 being uniquely coded to identify a particular tank. If either nozzle 766 is removed from its respective tank, fuel delivery to that nozzle 766 is discontinued. Accordingly, if it is desired to fill two or more tanks of the truck tractor 12 simultaneously, the use of multiple saddle packs 768 and passive transponders 772 prevents the filling of an unauthorized container with the satellite nozzle while the main nozzle 766 is filling an authorized container.
  • During the fueling process, information relating to the cost of the fuel being delivered, the fuel type, the volume of fuel, the saddle pack code, and the station identification number is collected at the terminal site controller 702, transmitted either from the saddle pack 768 via RF communication or from the fuel dispenser 764 via a hardwired connection. Although the terminal site controller 702 is preferably used to store and transmit information back and forth from both the vehicle identification module 10 and fuel nozzle module 24, the fuel nozzle module 24 may be used to communicate directly with the vehicle identification module if the network and storage capabilities of the terminal site controller 702 are not needed.
  • FIG. 16 shows the terminal site controller 702 having a serial data port 704. Preferably, the terminal site controller 702 is a personal computer (PC) coupled via RS-485 or RS-232 communication to existing pump motor controllers 778 provided within the fuel dispenser 764 or terminal site controller 702. Communication with the pump motor controllers 702 allows information regarding the type and volume of fuel delivered to be stored at the terminal site controller 702 for later use. The terminal site controller 702 is also coupled to a low power radio data link 706 having a transmitter module 708 and a receiver module 710 to provide communication with the saddle pack 768. Preferably, the PC is provided with software to allow the terminal site controller 702 to interface with the existing pump motor controllers 778 and with information received from the saddle pack 768. Preferably, the terminal site controller 702 is provided with means for archiving information regarding previous fuel deliveries and is also provided with network capabilities, either regional or nationwide, to allow data collection and recognition of various vehicles being fueled by the present invention.
  • The saddle pack 768 is shown in FIGS. 2-4. As shown in FIG. 3, the saddle pack 768 is provided with a high density polyethylene injection molded housing 728 designed for receipt of the fuel nozzle 766. Preferably, the fuel nozzle 766 is provided with a valve nut 730 which allows the saddle pack 768 to be locked into place. Before the saddle pack 768 is slid over the nozzle 766, a lock cap 732 is placed over the valve nut 730. The lock cap 732 is provided with a sleeve which accommodates a lock bolt 734 after the saddle pack 768 is slid over the nozzle 766. The lock bolt 734 is inserted through the housing 728 and the sleeve of the lock cap 732 to secure the lock cap 732 and housing 728 from inadvertent removal from the nozzle 766. Preferably, the lock cap 732 is provided with a clevis 736 which grasps the lock bolt 734 and prevents its inadvertent removal from the lock cap 732. The lock bolt 734 is provided with a special head which prevents its removal without the use of a tool kept by the owner of the fueling station.
  • A schematic drawing of the fuel nozzle module 24 is illustrated in FIG. 14, with 600 series numbers identifying elements corresponding to the elements of the other identification modules. The fuel nozzle module 24 includes a nickel metal hydride battery pack 673 or an optional removable rechargeable battery pack 675, both of which supply twelve volts to a voltage regulator 677 which, in turn, provides five volts of DC operating current to the fuel nozzle module 24.
  • Preferably, the coil 28 is coupled to a multiplexer 679 which toggles use of the coil 28 from charging the battery pack 673 to communicating information to and from the fuel nozzle module 24. The multiplexer 679 is coupled to a battery recharge management system 681 which charges the battery pack 673 after receiving an influx of power. As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel nozzle module 24 is located within the saddle pack 768. An alternative embodiment of the fuel nozzle module 24 is shown in FIG. 15. As shown, the multiplexer 679 is eliminated and a separate power coil 683 is provided and coupled directly to the battery recharge management system 681. A separate communication coil 685 is provided to allow the fuel nozzle module 24 to communicate information without having to provide the fuel nozzle module 24 with a multiplexer 679.
  • The saddle pack 768 is provided with an interface board 738 surrounded on all sides by a soft rubber boot 740 to protect the interface board 738 from jarring and damage during operation (FIG. 3). The interface board 738 has both a liquid crystal display 742 and a keyboard 744 to allow an operator to both receive and send information from the saddle pack 768. As shown in FIG. 4, the keyboard 744 is preferably provided with number keys 746 labeled zero through nine, four directional keys 748, a clear key 750, and an enter key 752. The keys are preferably self-cleaning sealed Hall-effect buttons thereby eliminating any openings in the keyboard 744 which would allow dust or corrosive material to enter the saddle pack 29. The keyboard 744 is ergodynamically constructed to allow ease of operation by a thumb of an operator as the operator is holding the nozzle 766. In accordance with this object, the clear key 750 and enter key 752 are preferably larger than the remaining keys and positioned lower on the keyboard 744 to allow ease of use.
  • As shown in FIG. 4, the display 742 is preferably a six-line liquid crystal display capable of supporting full graphics but may be any suitable type of display device. The display 742 may also be provided with a heater (not shown) to facilitate operation of the display 742 in cold weather. It is preferable that both the display 742 and keypad 744 are substantially impervious to corrosive fluids and ultraviolet light found around fueling stations. The saddle pack 768 is also preferably provided with a magnetic card reader 786 coupled to the fuel nozzle module 24 to allow the operator to enter information via a magnetic strip card (not shown).
  • As shown in FIG. 3, the nickel metal hydride battery pack 673 is positioned within the housing 728. If it is desired, a small door (not shown) may be provided in the housing 728 to provide easy removal and replacement of the battery pack 673 from the housing 728.
  • Also provided within the housing 728 is a master microcontroller board 754 containing the central processing unit 632 and the supporting peripherals shown in FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 14, the keyboard is interfaced with the CPU 632 as is the liquid crystal display 642.
  • As shown in FIG. 3, the coil 26 is provided within the housing 728 and completely surrounds the nozzle 766. This preferred positioning of the coil 28 allows for communication of the coil 28 with the truck tractor 12 during a fueling operation. It also allows the coil 26 to transmit operational energy to the battery pack 673 during docking of the nozzle 766. It should be noted that while placement around the nozzle 766 is preferred, any positioning which allows communication of the coil 28 with the truck tractor 12 may be used.
  • In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the fuel nozzle module 24, keyboard 744, display 742, and battery pack 673 are integrated into the nozzle 766 thereby eliminating the saddle pack 768 (FIG. 5). Additionally, a magnetic card reader 786 and a laser bar code reader 788 may be integrated into the nozzle 766 to allow credit card information to be downloaded to the fluid nozzle module 24 and to allow a standard bar-code 794 to be substituted for the passive transponder 772 (FIGS. 5 and 6). By integrating the nozzle 766, the hardwire connection between the terminal site controller 702 and the pump pulser can be eliminated. Replacing this connection is a turbine flow sensor 774 which is positioned within the nozzle 766 along the path of fuel flow. A self-contained turbine flow sensor frequency generator manufactured by Great Plains Industries, Inc. of Wichita, Kans., is preferable for petroleum delivery. If a material other than gasoline is dispensed, such as oil, a
  • Graco® in-line electronically metered valve or similar oil metering device may be used. The turbine flow sensor 774 is hardwired to the fuel nozzle module 24 to allow transmission of fuel delivery information to the fuel nozzle module 24. As fuel flows past the turbine flow sensor 774, the frequency generator within the turbine flow sensor sends pulses to the fuel nozzle module 24 for each incremental amount, e.g. (one tenth of one gallon) that flows past the turbine flow sensor 774. From the terminal site controller 702, information relating to the truck tractor 12 is transmitted via a 916.5 MHz radio signal to the fuel nozzle module 24. Similarly, information relating to the fuel delivery may be transferred from the terminal site controller 702 to the vehicle identification module 10 via a 916.5 MHz radio signal (FIGS. 7 and 16). Preferably, the terminal site controller 702 subsequently transmits the information, e.g., over telephone lines, to the owner of the truck tractor 12 and, in certain circumstances, to the appropriate financial institution for payment to the fuel pump owner for the fuel delivery made to the truck tractor 12 (FIGS. 1 and 16).
  • At short intervals during the fuel delivery operation, the fuel nozzle module 24 continues to inquire for the unique identification code from the passive transponder 772. If the appropriate unique identification code is not received, the fuel nozzle module 24 will send a signal to the terminal site controller 702 to turn off the pump motor controllers of the fuel dispenser 764 and in this way prevent delivery of fuel to an unauthorized vehicle or fuel tank and prevent fuel loss if the nozzle 766 becomes inadvertently dislodged from the filler neck (FIGS. 1, 7 and 16).
  • A schematic diagram of the vehicle identification module 10 showing the optional active transponder wiring is illustrated in FIG. 7. The active transponder wiring, however, may be eliminated if the passive transponder 772 is used. Principal control of the vehicle identification module 10 is accomplished by a central processing unit 32 to which is attached a watch dog timer 34. Information or data from the operator identification module 22, memory key, other passive transponder, or touch button is communicated both to the CPU 32 and to a 2K bit nonvolatile memory storage device 36 where it will be stored for access by the CPU 32. Odometer and engine hour information is communicated to the CPU 32 from sensors 38 and 40, respectively.
  • Power voltage is supplied to the CPU 32 through a 5-volt output voltage regulator 42 connected to the 12 volt electrical system of the truck tractor. Instruction coding or programs for the operation of the CPU 32 are stored on a 32K byte memory device 46 and a 2K byte data memory device 48 is provided for the storage of data collected and processed by the vehicle identification module 10 (FIG. 7). A 32K byte programmable memory device (EEPROM) 47 serves as a means for modifying or updating the program for controlling the operation of the vehicle identification module 10. If the program originally stored on the 32K byte RAM device 46 is to be changed, a new program can be stored on the EEPROM 47 via an appropriate communication link (including the inductive coils described below). The new program will include the instructions necessary to effectively debilitate the original program stored on the RAM device 46. In this way, the program can be changed, altered, or updated as desired and from a remote location without substitution of a memory chip or device. The data bus 58 handles the communication of data and instructions between various elements of the vehicle identification module 10.
  • Communication between the vehicle identification module 10 and an on board computer 23 is accomplished through an RS232 communication link 52 which is connected to an SAE bus of the on-board computer system (FIGS. 1 and 7). The RS485 communication link 52 communicates with a UART 54 which in turn communicates with a clock calendar 56. The memory devices 46 and 48, the LAN controller 50 and the clock calendar 56 are all connected to the central processing unit 32 by way of a communication bus 58. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fuel containers of the truck tractor 12 are all provided with uniquely coded passive transponders 722 and the hardwired connections to the fuel containers shown in FIG. 7 are not used.
  • In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein active rather than passive transponders are employed, the vehicle identification module 10 is connected to four antennae (FIGS. 1 and 7). A fuel tank inductive coil 26 is associated with one of the fuel tanks of the truck tractor 12 and a second fuel tank coil 76 is associated with a second fuel tank. The association is preferably a hardwired connection, but may be a wireless connection. A third coil, the trailer coil 80, is mounted at the rear of the truck tractor 12 for communication with the trailer 14 as described above. The vehicle identification module 10 includes an appropriate receptacle for a 2K bit memory key 22 from which is downloaded the operator identification code and company unique identification code. A 2K bit nonvolatile memory device 36 contains the identification code of the vehicle identification module 10 and the fuel type required by the truck tractor 12.
  • In this alternative embodiment, the fuel tank coil 26 is positioned near the filler neck of a fuel tank of the truck tractor 12 (FIGS. 5 and 7). Voltage signals from a serial data port 70 of the central processing unit 32 are communicated to the fuel tank coil 26 through a modulator 72 and a coil driver 74. A signal present at the coil driver 74 will be communicated to the fuel tank coil 26 if the latch 60 has provided the appropriate enable signal to the coil driver 74. A second fuel tank coil 76 is provided which is driven by a second coil driver 78. Communication between the truck tractor 12 and the trailer 14 may be accomplished by a trailer coil 80 and a corresponding coil driver 82 as will be described in more detail below. An oil filler neck coil 81 is provided near the engine oil filler neck (not shown) of the engine which is driven by a coil driver 83. Of course, the coil drivers 74, 78, 82, and 83 are also enabled by signals from the latch 60.
  • The coils 26, 76, 80, and 81 can also function as receivers. Voltage signals induced in the coils 26, 76, 80, and 81 are amplified in an amplifier 84(a)-84(d) and are communicated to the serial data port 70 of the central processing unit 32 through demodulator 86 provided the appropriate enable signal has been received by the amplifier 84(a)-84(d) from the latch 60.
  • In this alternative embodiment, the fuel tank coils 26 and 76 are made of thirteen six-inch diameter turns of twenty-six gauge copper wire that are embedded in a silastic rubber potting material surrounded by a polyethylene cover (FIG. 7). A 0.1 micro farad capacitor is connected across the lead wires of the coil. Together the capacitor and inductance of the coil create a tuned circuit resonant at approximately sixty-one kilohertz. The drive signal is at approximately five volts, peak-to-peak and a frequency of 60 kilohertz for a binary one. The fuel nozzle coil 28 is similarly constructed so that the coils 28 and 26 or 76 are matched for efficient intercommunication (FIGS. 7 and 14). In tests, the coils 28 and 26 of 76 described above have a read-write distance of approximately eighteen inches. This limitation on communicative proximity is desirable for the security purposes noted above. In other circumstances where the read-write distance must be greater, for example if the intercommunication coils are mounted on facing surfaces of the truck tractor and an adjacent trailer, a larger diameter coil can be constructed and will function at the above frequencies provided the tuned circuit of the coil and capacitor remains at substantially the same frequency. A pair of fourteen-inch diameter coils have a read-write distance of approximately six feet.
  • In the active transponder embodiment of the present invention, a latch 60 is connected to the communication bus 58 and used to operate the several input and output devices. Additionally, the data bus 58 can communicate with an on-board computer 23 such as a data collection device sold by Xata Corporation, Burnsville, Minn., via a second RS485 communication link 62. An alarm relay 64 is connected to the CPU 32 and operated thereby to sound an alarm (not shown) if an alarm condition is sensed by the central processing unit 32. A pair of fuel cap sensors 66 and 68 are connected to the central processing unit 32 to send a signal when the corresponding fuel cap has been removed to permit access to a fuel tank of the truck tractor 12. An oil dipstick removal sensor 41 is connected to the CPU 32 to record the date, time, and operator identification on the vehicle identification module 10 of each time the oil dipstick of the tractor 12 is removed during the monitoring of the oil level.
  • FIG. 17 shows a vehicle transmission module 712 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention coupled to the existing Engine Control Module (ECM) 714 of the truck tractor 12. This coupling allows the truck tractor 12 to be quickly adopted for use with the present invention. The engine transmission module 712 is provided with a conversion circuit 716 to provide information in a readable form for the CPU 718 to which the conversion circuit 716 is coupled. The CPU 718 is also operably coupled to an auxiliary RS232 device 720 which receives information from RS232 onboard vehicle data capture devices (not shown) and relays them to the CPU 718. Also secured to the CPU 718 is a radio frequency modem 722 provided with a transmitter module 724 and a receiver module 726 for transmitting and receiving information via RF communication. The transmitter module 724 eliminates the optional hardwired connection of the CPU to the inductive coil 26 provided around the filler neck. By eliminating the need for hardwiring an inductive coil around the filler neck of the truck tractor 12 thereby providing an easier installation of the present invention on existing vehicles.
  • To assure security is maintained and that fuel is not delivered to an unauthorized vehicle, the passive transponder 772 is secured close to the filler neck of the truck tractor 12. The radio frequency modem 722 communicates information via RF communication to the terminal site controller 702. Throughout the fueling operation, the saddle pack 768 constantly inquires or “pets” the passive transponder 772 in one second intervals to assure that the nozzle 766 has not become inadvertently removed from the filler neck or that an operator is attempting to deliver fuel into an unauthorized container. Power is supplied to the engine transmission module 712 through a voltage regulator 728 which converts twelve-volt direct current into five-volt direct current. Preferably, the saddle pack 768 is designed to communicate with both active and passive devices to accommodate whichever device is provided around the filler neck of the truck tractor 12. If ease of installation is a priority, a passive device is used; if complex data transmission directly from the vehicle identification module 24 to the filler neck is a priority, an active device is used.
  • In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle identification module 10 will function essentially as a communication link between the terminal site controller 702 and the ECM 714 (FIGS. 1 and 7). If no on board computer system is present, sensors transmit odometer and engine hour information to the central processing unit 32 of the vehicle identification module 10. A conversion box 716 may be interfaced with an SAE J1708 Engine Diagnostic Bus 774 to allow the engine diagnostics to be converted to RS-232 and down-loaded (FIG. 17).
  • A schematic diagram of the trailer identification modules 18 and 20 is illustrated in FIG. 8. Many of the principal elements of the trailer identification modules 18 and 20 are identical to that of the vehicle identification module 10 and are denoted with 100 series numbers corresponding to the numbers assigned to corresponding elements of the vehicle identification module 10 (FIGS. 7 and 8). Also attached to the data bus 158 is a 64K bit memory key device 159 which can be used to transmit up to 64K bits of information from the memory key device 159 to the trailer identification module 18 or 20 or which can store up to 64K bits of information from the trailer identification module 18 or 20. The trailer identification module 18 or 20 monitors the condition of a pair of doors of the trailer 14 or 16, respectively, by way of door open sensors 111 and 113 which are connected to the central processing unit 132. A plurality of other sensor or transponder units such as the temperature sensors 115 a-115 c, humidity sensors 117 a-117 c and a proximity sensor 119, are used to monitor the temperature and humidity inside the trailer 14 and, with respect to the proximity sensor 119, the proximity of the rear of the trailer 14 to an unloading device or location. The sensors 115, 117, and 119 are analog sensors which produce voltage signals corresponding to the conditions they are sensing. The analog signals are conditioned and sent to an 8-channel multiplexer and analog digital converter 121 which provides an interface between the central processing unit 132 and the sensors so that information collected by the sensors can be stored or processed by the central processing unit 132. Additional sensors or transponders could be used for sensing engine operating parameters of the reefer power unit, for example. In the event greater than eight sensors or transponders are used additional multiplexer channels can be added. Newer model vehicle engines equipped with an engine electronic control module 714 could interface into the SAE J1708 Engine Diagnostic Bus 774.
  • A motor driven valve 123 for the control of the air brakes of the trailer 14 is illustrated in FIG. 8. If no signal is received from the central processing unit 132, the motor drive valve 123 will remain closed and thus prevent the air brakes from releasing. The brakes of the trailer 14 will thus be applied and prevent the trailer 14 from being moved by a tractor unit. Only if a signal is received from the CPU 132 will the motor driven valve 123 open to permit release of the air brakes and movement of the trailer 14. At unhook of the trailer 14 from the tractor 12, the motor driven valve 123 must be driven closed by the operator while a safety button is held closed. Once driven closed, the motor driven valve 123 can only be released if it receives the proper unique identification code from the vehicle identification module 10.
  • An automotive module 11 that is similar in construction and operation as the vehicle module 12 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 9 with 200 series figure numbers used to identify elements of the automotive module 11 that correspond to elements of the vehicle identification module 10 and trailer identification module 18. An oil dipstick removal sensor 237 has been added to record the time and date of removal of the oil dipstick, presumably to check the engine oil level. Additionally, a keyboard 225 and interface 227 are provided for the manual input of information to the central processing unit 232. An alphanumeric display 229 is also provided to display information being input from the keyboard 225 and information coming from the central processing unit 232.
  • It may be desired to use the present invention to monitor the use and operation of the vehicles other than a truck tractor and trailer. For example, an identification module similar to the vehicle identification module 10 and vehicle identification module 11 may be provided on mobile equipment such as a tractor, road grader, dump truck, or any other piece of mobile equipment. A mobile equipment identification module 13 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 10 with 300 series numbers identifying elements of the mobile equipment identification module 13 that correspond to elements of the identification modules 10 and 11.
  • The vehicle identification module 10 thus functions as an information storage and retrieval device for operating and environmental conditions of the trailers as well as manifest information regarding cargo carried in the trailers. This capability of the vehicle identification module 10 is of particular utility for storing other information unrelated to a fuel delivery transaction. For example, service operations performed on the vehicle can be stored on the vehicle identification module to provide an accumulated service history of the vehicle that is carried with the vehicle itself. In another application, a device similar to the trailer identification module 18 or 20 could be associated with an underground storage tank. Sensors or transponders for detecting the presence of leaking fuel from the underground storage tank would be connected to the CPU 132 in the same manner as the sensors 115-119 shown in FIG. 8. The underground storage tank module would thus function as an automatic leakage monitoring system in addition to its two-way fuel delivery transaction identification and storage and network capabilities. A passive transponder is preferably provided near a filler neck of the underground storage tank to receive information from the tank during fueling.
  • In addition, a 4-channel multiplexer and analog digital converter 331 is provided for the purpose of permitting the storage and processing of information from transponders or sensors as may be appropriate for the particular piece of mobile equipment to which the identification module 13 is attached. In other respects, the mobile equipment identification module 13 will function similarly to the identification modules 10 and 11 described above.
  • The invention can also be adapted to function with equipment which use petroleum fuel or other fluids but are not necessarily mobile or used on a frequent or continuous basis. In such circumstances, it is desirable to have an identification module which is of low power consumption so that it can be battery operated over a reasonable lifetime. A schematic diagram of a low-power threshold detector identification module 15 is illustrated in FIG. 11 with 400 series numbers identifying elements that correspond to elements of the other identification modules. The central processing unit is a low power CPU 432 with read only program memory and a serial data port 470. It is interconnected with a nonvolatile RAM memory device 441 to which is written identification and authorization information at the time of manufacture. In a manner similar to the other identification modules, the low-power identification module can transmit information from the CPU 432 via a fuel tank coil 426 by way of a modulator 472 and coil driver 474. To conserve power, the central processing unit 432 is turned on only when a threshold detector 443 senses that a fuel nozzle has been inserted into the filler neck of the equipment to which the low power identification module 15 has been attached. The threshold detector 443 activates a voltage switch 445 which then supplies power from a lithium battery 447 to the CPU 432.
  • Illustrated schematically in FIG. 12 is a docking station 770, with 500 series numbers identifying elements corresponding to the elements of the other identification modules described previously. The docking station 770 is provided on the fuel dispenser 764 within communicative proximity to the fuel nozzle module 24 when the nozzle 766 is docked in the dispenser 764. The docking station 770 is provided with a fuel docking module 31 which controls the operation of the docking station 770. The fuel docking module 31 has an alternating current power supply 587 which feeds into a power supply controller 589. The fuel docking module 31 also has a power antennae 591 coupled to the power supply controller 589 to supply power inductively to the fuel nozzle module 24 when the nozzle 766 is docked in the docking station 770. In addition to supplying operational power to the fuel nozzle module 24, the docking station 770 can also initialize the fuel nozzle module 24 when the nozzle 766 is docked in the docking station 770. Preferably, a CPU 532 of the docking station 770 is provided with information regarding the pump number with which the docking station 770 is associated, the type of fuel associated with the dispenser 764, and information regarding communication with the terminal site controller 702. Accordingly, if the saddle pack 768 is damaged, a replacement saddle pack may quickly be substituted without the need for a complex reprogramming procedure. The replacement saddle pack is simply attached to the nozzle 766 and moved into communicative proximity with the docking station 770. All of the initialization information needed by the fuel nozzle module 24 is then downloaded from the docking station 770 to the fuel nozzle module 24 leaving the saddle pack 768 ready for the next fueling operation.
  • An alternative embodiment of the docking station 770 is illustrated in FIG. 13 which shows a stand-alone charging circuit whereby instead of a regulated direct current output to the power antennae 591, the output would consist of a regulated alternating current signal across a tuned circuit. This tuned circuit would then be inductively coupled to the fuel nozzle module 24 when the nozzle 766 is docked into the fuel dispenser 764 to provide charging power for the fuel nozzle module 24. In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the docking station 770 may be used simply for a recharge only docking station, the CPU 532 may be replaced. A passive transponder may then be used to identify the docking station 770 to the saddle pack 768. When the saddle pack 768 comes within charging proximity of the docking station 770, the docking station 770 increases power output, thereby charging the saddle pack 768.
  • Preferably, the docking station 770 is hardwired or coupled via wireless communication to a printer 792 as shown in FIG. 13. The docking station 770 is also either hardwired or coupled via wireless communication to the terminal site controller 702 which allows information regarding a fluid delivery transaction to be transmitted from the terminal site controller 702 through the docking station 770 to the printer to print out a hard copy of the fuel delivery transaction for the operator.
  • A fuel delivery operation between the truck tractor 12 which carries the vehicle identification module 10 and a fuel pump location having a fuel nozzle module 24 begins when the truck tractor 12 pulls into a fuel delivery location. The terminal site controller 702 polls the vehicle identification module 10 to receive engine diagnostics and transponder codes via RF communication. The operator removes the nozzle 766 from the docking station 770 of the fuel dispenser 764 and inputs an operator code into the keyboard 744 of the saddle pack 768. Alternatively, the operator code may be placed on a magnetic strip card (not shown) and inputted via the magnetic card reader 786. The operator code identifies the operator and authorizes fuel delivery. Once the low power radio data link 665 has relayed the operator code information to the terminal site controller 702 and the terminal site controller 702 has confirmed the operator as an authorized operator, the terminal site controller 702 relays this information to the saddle pack 768 which displays the information on the liquid crystal display 742, informing an operator that the filling procedure may begin. Alternatively, the operator code may be stored on the passive transponder 772 and automatically confirmed when the fuel nozzle 766 is placed into the filler neck of the fuel tank as described below.
  • To begin fuel delivery, the operator will remove the fuel cap from the fuel tank of the truck tractor 12. The operator will then insert the fuel nozzle 766 of the fuel dispenser 764 into the filler neck of the fuel tank. When the fuel nozzle coil 28 is in communicating proximity with the passive transponder 772, the passive transponder 772 will receive an inquire signal from the fuel nozzle coil 28. Upon receipt of the inquire signal, the passive transponder 772 will transmit its unique identification code to the fuel nozzle module 24. If the unique identification code is recognized by the terminal site controller 702, the delivery of fuel will begin. Upon receipt of the unique identification code, the time and date of the same will be recorded at the terminal site controller 702, and the previously recorded diagnostic information, received from the vehicle identification module 10, including the truck tractor 12 engine hours and odometer reading, and the license number and state code of any trailers 14 and/or 16, is transmitted to the saddle pack 768 for display to the operator if requested by the operator.
  • During the fuel delivery operation, the fuel nozzle module 24 continues to require a unique identification code from the passive transponder 772. If no unique identification code is received, the fuel delivery will be discontinued. In the preferred embodiment, an inquire signal is transmitted at every one second interval. Accordingly, if the fuel nozzle 766 is withdrawn or becomes inadvertently removed from the filler neck of an authorized vehicle, the delivery of fuel will be promptly interrupted.
  • During fueling, the turbine flow sensor 774 positioned within the nozzle 766 sends a signal to the fuel nozzle module 24 which corresponds to a preselected volume of delivered fuel, e.g., ten pulses for every one-tenth of a gallon. These pulses are translated into a volume of fluid delivered and displayed on the liquid crystal display 742. In this way, the operator can keep track of the volume of fuel delivered to an authorized vehicle by monitoring the liquid crystal display 742. From the saddle pack 768 the volume information is transmitted via radio link to the terminal site controller 702. This information may also be transmitted from the terminal site controller 702 to the vehicle identification module 10 where it may be stored for later retrieval by the operator or vehicle owner.
  • The terminal site controller 702 can also request and receive via radio frequency communication complete diagnostic engine data from the SAE J1708 Engine Diagnostic Bus 774 via the ECM 714 of the truck tractor 12 if the truck tractor 12 is equipped with a radio frequency modem. The keyboard 744 can be used if fuel is to be delivered to a truck tractor that is not equipped with a passive transponder. In this mode, an override unique identification code would be inputted into the keyboard 744 by the operator to permit a fuel delivery operation to proceed in an override condition.
  • Information from either the saddle pack 768 or the vehicle identification module 10 may be transmitted to the terminal site controller 702 via low power radio frequency. From the terminal site controller 702, the information may be transmitted to a remote location such as a main frame company computer via telephone lines in the usual method or via cellular telephone intercommunication. Any or all of the diagnostic information received from the vehicle identification module 10 may be forwarded from the terminal site controller 702 to the saddle pack 768 for display to the operator. A hard copy of the fuel delivery transaction is printed by a printer connected either to the personal computer of the terminal site controller 702 or to the docking station 770. The hard copy may be stored by the owner of the service station, with a copy going to the truck tractor operator and to the owner of the truck tractor 12. Additionally, a printer may be hardwired or connected via wireless communication to the docking station 770 to provide a hard copy of the fuel delivery transaction directly to the operator. If the terminal site controller 702 is connected so as to transmit information to a remote computer, the invention can be used to provide automatic data capture to allow for electronic funds transfer or ACH payment of fuel purchases and to permit generation of accounts receivable, inventory, fleet management, stocks depletion, and excise tax accounting reports of interest to the owner of the truck tractor 12 and of the service station.
  • Preferably, this information is also provided to operator via the display 742 during a fueling operation. In lieu of this information being provided, diagnostic or promotional information may be shown on the display 742.
  • Information and data may be exchanged between the vehicle identification module 10 and the trailer identification module 18 either by way of a hard-wired RS232 or RS485 communication link or by intercommunicating coils similar to the fuel tank and fuel nozzle coils described above or using wireless radio communication. The advantage of the intercommunicating coils is that no independent, hard-wired connection is required, so that the connection is not subject to degradation under the severe environmental and use conditions experienced by over-the-road trucks. A truck tractor coil is mounted on the rear of the truck tractor so that it will be in communicating proximity to a trailer coil that will be mounted on the front end portion of the trailer 14. Alternatively, the tractor coil could be mounted under the fifth-wheel hub and above the frame of the tractor; the trailer coil would then be mounted on the trailer floor so that it will be above the tractor coil when the trailer is connected to the fifth wheel. Or, the tractor coil is embedded in the casting of the fifth-wheel hub and the trailer coil in the fifth-wheel plate of the trailer. Information collected by the trailer identification module 18 can thus be communicated to the vehicle identification module 10 and, conversely, odometer and time and date information can be transmitted from the vehicle identification module 10 to the trailer identification module 18. A similar set of coils are provided between the first trailer 14 and the second trailer 16 so that intercommunication between the vehicle identification module 10 and the second trailer identification module 20 can occur.
  • The fuel nozzle module 24 is also provided with an identification code which is preferably software set on either the EEPROM 647 or the CPU 632. Because the identification code is set by software, it may be reset remotely from the terminal site controller 702 or directly from the keyboard 744. This software setting of the identification code allows the identification code to be quickly changed without having to open up the saddle pack 768.
  • At hook up of the truck tractor 12 and the trailer 14, a unique identification code is transmitted from the truck tractor 12 to the trailer 14 through the coils 80 and 126. If the trailer identification module 18 recognizes the unique identification code, it will respond with its resident identification code and totalized mileage. This information is stored at the vehicle identification module 10. If manifest information has been stored at the trailer identification module 18, it will also be transmitted for storage at the vehicle identification module upon hookup.
  • If the trailer 18 is a refrigerated trailer, or “reefer” the vehicle identification module will request a systems check of the conditions, for example temperature and humidity, inside the refrigerated trailer. Such information is available on the trailer identification module from its sensors 115 and 117. Additionally, whether the doors are open on the refrigerated trailer could be monitored as well as fuel level in the engine which powers the refrigeration unit of the refrigerated trailer.
  • The trailer identification module 18 is connected to the electrical system of the truck tractor 12. When the trailer 14 is unhooked from the truck tractor 12, the trailer identification module 14 senses the loss of power and built in capacitors provide the power to write data to nonvolatile memory of the trailer identification module 18 for storage. In this way, total accumulated mileage of the trailer 14 is always available from the trailer identification module 18 even though it may not be always powered. If the trailer 14 is a refrigerated trailer, power will be available from the refrigerated unit.
  • An information and power input module is located at the rear of the trailer 14 and communicates with the trailer identification module 18. Information regarding the manifest or cargo to be carried by the trailer 14 can be input via this communication linkage which is connected to the RS485 driver 152 of the trailer identification module 18.
  • A theft prevention function is built in to the trailer identification module 18. If, at the time of hookup, the trailer identification module 18 receives an appropriate company unique identification code, the motor driven valve 123 is opened and the air line is opened to the air brakes of the trailer 14. When the truck tractor 12 is unhooked from the trailer 14, the operator will hold a switch down and manually drive the solenoid to the closed position to put the trailer in a “safe” condition.
  • The automotive identification module 11 (FIG. 9) functions very similarly to the vehicle identification module 10, and as explained above, has similar components. A 2K memory key 22 is inserted by an operator into an appropriate receptacle of the automotive identification module 11. The automotive identification module records the operator's identification number and unique identification code and records on the memory key 22 the time and date every time that the automobile engine is started and stopped along with a chart of accounts and a business or personal mileage designation. Additionally, the vehicle identification code is written to the memory key 22 upon its insertion by the operator.
  • A 64K memory key 259 is used with the automotive identification module 11 to act as a portable random access memory device for data and information storage and downloading of such information which is written to the key by the automotive identification module 11. Inputs from the odometer 240 and ignition transponders 238 are written to the memory key 259 when the vehicle is started and stopped so as to provide a corresponding log of miles and engine hours along with the clock time of starting and stopping of the automobile. An optional keyboard 225 can be used to provide a means for inputting a chart of accounts and for selecting a credit card identification code which is stored in the memory of the automobile identification module 11 to provide authorization for payment of fuel via the stored credit card information. This credit card information can be accessed only through the inductive link between the coils of the fuel nozzle and the fuel filler neck. While the automobile identification module 11 is primarily powered by power from the battery of the automobile, a lithium battery 244 is provided for backup power for the clock/calendar module 246.
  • An additional application of the invention is the mobile construction equipment identification module 13 (FIG. 10). As with the automobile identification module 11, a 2K bit memory key 322 or a 64K bit memory key (not shown) may be used to input the company unique identification code for fueling, the operator identification code and other such information for downloading to the mobile construction equipment identification module 13. All other features remain substantially unchanged. An additional capacity is provided by the four channel multiplexer and analog to digital converter 331 which permits four transponders to be connected to the central processing unit 332 for monitoring of operating conditions of the construction equipment on which the identification module 13 is mounted. For example, engine oil level could be monitored and connected to an alarm, and so on.
  • The module 13 has particular applicability in the airline industry wherein the fuel filler necks of the airplane tanks are equipped with passive transponders 326 and fuel is delivered from a mobile truck equipped with a fuel nozzle module 24 as described above. The fuel nozzle module 24 would communicate and interact with a module (not shown) located within the truck to ensure that only the proper type of fuel was delivered, to automatically record on the airplane and at the terminal site controller 702 the type of fuel delivered, the date and time, quantity, operator identification, and other useful information.
  • The invention also contemplates a low power threshold detector module 15 (FIG. 11) for use on equipment which does not include a battery or other power means. The low power threshold detector module 15 has recorded in nonvolatile RAM 441 a company, vehicle, and fuel type code. This code is recognized by fuel pumps that are owned by the owner of the equipment on which the low power threshold detector module 15 is mounted. The low power identification module 15 remains inert until a threshold detector 443 is breached after which power is provided from a lithium battery 447 through a voltage switch 445 to a central processing unit 432.
  • As shown in FIG. 18, the vehicle identification module 10 may be read by a nonfueling device, such as a laptop computer 754 coupled to a bar code wand 756 and a low power radio data link 758 similar to those described above. Alternatively, a pen key 760, such as that supplied by Norand®, which incorporates a radio data link and a bar code reader, may be used for data collection and processing for information received from the vehicle identification module 10 and for communication back and forth with the terminal site controller 702. This alternative embodiment allows service personnel to quickly diagnose problems associated with the truck tractor 12 and to receive information from the terminal site controller 702 regarding periodic maintenance such as oil changes and tune-ups. The low power radio data link 758 may also be coupled to a network card 782 which allows the laptop computer 754 to communicate directly with a computer network.
  • As an alternative to the preferred stationary fuel pump location, fuel may delivered to vehicles by a mobile pump truck (not shown). Included in the invention is a pump truck terminal site controller 17 which is illustrated schematically in FIG. 19, with 800 series numbers identifying elements corresponding to similar elements of the other identification modules described previously. The pump truck site controller 17 is preferably located in the cab of the mobile truck.
  • The pump truck terminal site controller 17 differs in that the CPU 832 is coupled to a latch 860 which, in turn, is coupled to several control relays which are positioned between a pump (not shown) and several hoses 762. As in the aforementioned embodiments of the present invention, each hose 762 is secured to a nozzle 766 having a saddle pack 768. As each control relay is opened, fuel is allowed to flow from the pump through the associated hose 762.
  • To begin fueling from the pump truck, the nozzle 766 which dispenses the desired fluid is removed from the associated docking station 770 and placed within a filler neck of a fluid container (not shown). Upon insertion, the saddle pack 768 sends a power signal to the passive transponder 772 associated with the fluid container to obtain an identification code. Upon receipt of the identification code, the saddle pack 768 transmits this information to the pump truck site controller 17 which cross checks the code to assure fluid is being delivered to an authorized vehicle and to check the proper fluid type which is to be delivered. The pump truck terminal site controller 17 signals the latch 860 to energize the correct control relay to allow the appropriate fluid to be dispensed. Upon actuation of the proper control relay, the correct fluid travels to the nozzle 766 where the operator may dispense the fluid into the fluid container. If the operator has inadvertently placed the wrong nozzle into the fluid container, the pump truck site controller 17 will not actuate the associated control relay, thereby preventing an incorrect fluid from being dispensed into the fluid container. The pump truck site controller 17 is preferably provided with an override mechanism (not shown) to permit the delivery of fluid to authorized vehicles which do not have an appropriate passive transponder or other identification module. The override mechanism may be triggered by the operator by inputting a code into the saddle pack 768 which is communicated to the pump truck site controller 17. The pump truck site controller 17 is also preferably provided with a global positioning satellite receiver 833 coupled to the serial data port 870 which allows the recordation of the delivery site for a particular fluid delivery transaction. The global positioning satellite receiver 833 may also be used in association with the stationary terminal site controller 702, but there is a particular advantage in the mobile situation given that subsequent mobile fueling operations rarely take place in the same geographic location. The pump truck site controller 17 is also coupled to the turbine flow sensor 774 or other fluid flow monitor positioned within the stream of fluid delivery. The turbine flow sensor 774 produces a signal which passes through a conditioner to obtain a digital output which is forwarded to a multiplex card connected to the bus 858 of the pump truck terminal site controller 17.
  • The preferred embodiment described herein is a liquid petroleum fuel delivery system. The invention can, of course, be used with a delivery system for any fluid, such as water, compressed gases, pharmaceuticals via intravenous injection, ammonia, solvents, engine oil, transmission fluid, paint, beverages, herbicides and pesticides, and so on.

Claims (1)

What is claimed is:
1. A system comprising:
a fluid dispenser capable of controlling flow of fluid through a control point;
input means coupled to the fluid dispenser for inputting information regarding a fluid delivery;
display means coupled to the fluid dispenser for displaying information regarding the fluid delivery;
receiving means coupled to the fluid dispenser for receiving at least one of: fluid delivery information regarding the fluid delivery and fluid dispenser information regarding the status of the fluid dispenser.
US13/843,354 1995-03-10 2013-03-15 Fluid delivery control nozzle Abandoned US20130206279A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/843,354 US20130206279A1 (en) 1995-03-10 2013-03-15 Fluid delivery control nozzle

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US40219995A 1995-03-10 1995-03-10
US08/872,349 US5913180A (en) 1995-03-10 1997-06-10 Fluid delivery control nozzle
US09/566,972 US8429095B1 (en) 1995-03-10 2000-05-09 Fluid delivery control nozzle
US13/843,354 US20130206279A1 (en) 1995-03-10 2013-03-15 Fluid delivery control nozzle

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/566,972 Continuation US8429095B1 (en) 1995-03-10 2000-05-09 Fluid delivery control nozzle

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20130206279A1 true US20130206279A1 (en) 2013-08-15

Family

ID=23590938

Family Applications (4)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/872,349 Expired - Lifetime US5913180A (en) 1995-03-10 1997-06-10 Fluid delivery control nozzle
US09/566,972 Expired - Fee Related US8429095B1 (en) 1995-03-10 2000-05-09 Fluid delivery control nozzle
US13/843,384 Abandoned US20130214904A1 (en) 1995-03-10 2013-03-15 Fluid delivery control nozzle
US13/843,354 Abandoned US20130206279A1 (en) 1995-03-10 2013-03-15 Fluid delivery control nozzle

Family Applications Before (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/872,349 Expired - Lifetime US5913180A (en) 1995-03-10 1997-06-10 Fluid delivery control nozzle
US09/566,972 Expired - Fee Related US8429095B1 (en) 1995-03-10 2000-05-09 Fluid delivery control nozzle
US13/843,384 Abandoned US20130214904A1 (en) 1995-03-10 2013-03-15 Fluid delivery control nozzle

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (4) US5913180A (en)
EP (2) EP0736484B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE267141T1 (en)
DE (1) DE69632502T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2220962T3 (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150161590A1 (en) * 2013-12-06 2015-06-11 Mastercard Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. System and method for conducting a transaction using a fuel dispensing nozzle
US10262325B2 (en) * 2015-04-29 2019-04-16 Wex Inc. Methods and systems for mobile fleet card activation
US10376911B2 (en) 2017-01-05 2019-08-13 Graco Minnesota Inc. Handheld fluid meter
US10589979B2 (en) * 2017-10-02 2020-03-17 Graco Minnesota Inc. Fluid management controller
US10647566B2 (en) 2017-10-10 2020-05-12 Graco Minnesota Inc. Dispensing meter authorization
US10843213B2 (en) 2017-10-10 2020-11-24 Graco Minnesota Inc. Fluid dispensing meter authorization
US11292710B2 (en) 2017-09-15 2022-04-05 Graco Minnesota Inc. Fluid management system and fluid dispenser
US11790715B2 (en) 2018-03-19 2023-10-17 Deutsche Post Ag Authenticating on automated shipment machines

Families Citing this family (188)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0736484B1 (en) * 1995-03-10 2004-05-19 Michael C. Ryan Fluid delivery control nozzle
US7449993B2 (en) * 1995-11-09 2008-11-11 Vehicle Enhancement Systems, Inc. System, apparatus and methods for data communication between vehicle and remote data communication terminal, between portions of vehicle and other portions of vehicle, between two or more vehicles, and between vehicle and communications network
US7015800B2 (en) * 1995-11-09 2006-03-21 Vehicle Enhancement Systems Inc. System, apparatus and methods for data communication between vehicle and remote data communication terminal, between portions of vehicle and other portions of vehicle, between two or more vehicles, and between vehicle and communications network
US6064299A (en) * 1995-11-09 2000-05-16 Vehicle Enhancement Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method for data communication between heavy duty vehicle and remote data communication terminal
US6111524A (en) * 1995-11-09 2000-08-29 Vehicle Enhancement Systems, Inc. Systems and methods for identifying tractor/trailers and components thereof
FR2750521B1 (en) * 1996-06-28 1998-09-04 Ordicam Rech Et Dev METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE DISTRIBUTION AND/OR PAYMENT OF FUEL DELIVERED AT A SERVICE STATION AND INSTALLATION USED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS METHOD
US6446049B1 (en) * 1996-10-25 2002-09-03 Pole/Zero Corporation Method and apparatus for transmitting a digital information signal and vending system incorporating same
IL123708A (en) * 1998-03-17 2003-10-31 Hi G Tek Ltd Fueling system
US6116298A (en) * 1996-10-28 2000-09-12 Hi-G-Tek Ltd. Fueling system
ES2116239B1 (en) * 1996-11-08 1999-02-16 Repsol Comercial De Productos SEALING SYSTEM FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING PRODUCTS IN TANK VEHICLES.
US20010001203A1 (en) * 2000-04-04 2001-05-17 Mccall Don C. Fuel dispensing system
US6321984B1 (en) * 1997-02-25 2001-11-27 Dresser Equipment Group, Inc. Adjustable price fuel dispensing system
US6112981A (en) * 1997-02-25 2000-09-05 Dresser Industries, Inc. Bar code reader for a fuel dispenser
US5868179A (en) * 1997-03-04 1999-02-09 Gilbarco Inc. Precision fuel dispenser
US6047250A (en) * 1997-04-21 2000-04-04 Management And Report Technologies, Inc. System for monitoring fluid distribution and associated methods
DK175911B1 (en) * 1997-05-26 2005-06-20 Metax Olie As Automatic fuel release system and method of refueling a vehicle
US6085407A (en) 1997-08-21 2000-07-11 Micron Technology, Inc. Component alignment apparatuses and methods
US6470233B1 (en) * 1997-09-26 2002-10-22 Gilbarco Inc. Fuel dispensing and retail system for preventing use of stolen transponders
US6571151B1 (en) 1998-03-06 2003-05-27 Russel Dean Leatherman Wireless nozzle interface for a fuel dispenser
US6343241B1 (en) * 1998-04-09 2002-01-29 Mobil Oil Corporation Robotic vehicle servicing system
US7653571B2 (en) 1998-04-24 2010-01-26 Excentus Corporation System and method for generating price-per-gallon discounts for fuel
IL124424A0 (en) 1998-05-11 1998-12-06 On Track Innovations Ltd Self-closing cap including an integral smart card
US6024142A (en) * 1998-06-25 2000-02-15 Micron Communications, Inc. Communications system and method, fleet management system and method, and method of impeding theft of fuel
US6082618A (en) * 1998-07-08 2000-07-04 Dresser Industries, Inc. Fuel dispenser hardware identification system
US6618362B1 (en) * 1998-07-21 2003-09-09 Gilbarco Inc. Apparatus and method for using a transponder as an information buffer
US6381514B1 (en) * 1998-08-25 2002-04-30 Marconi Commerce Systems Inc. Dispenser system for preventing unauthorized fueling
US6182893B1 (en) * 1998-08-28 2001-02-06 Marconi Commerce Systems Inc. Customer retail apparatus having multiple card reader capability
DE19843805A1 (en) * 1998-09-24 2000-03-30 Gossler Fluidtec Gmbh Device for presenting information on a display unit of a fuel nozzle of a gas station
US6062473A (en) * 1998-10-16 2000-05-16 Gilbarco Inc. Energy dispensing system having a bar code scanning unit
US6532047B1 (en) 1998-10-27 2003-03-11 Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha Irradiation device for polarized light for optical alignment of a liquid crystal cell element
US6783028B1 (en) 1998-11-10 2004-08-31 Advanced Information Systems Fuel dispensing nozzle equipped with a game or other activity
WO2000046101A1 (en) * 1999-02-02 2000-08-10 Dresser, Inc. Fuel dispensing system and method with bar code scanning
US6481627B1 (en) * 1999-02-23 2002-11-19 Electronic Warfare Associates, Inc. Fleet refueling method and system
US6470288B1 (en) * 1999-06-18 2002-10-22 Tokheim Corporation Dispenser with updatable diagnostic system
US6374870B1 (en) * 1999-08-11 2002-04-23 Ide Til Produkt As Fuel dispensing nozzle
JP4449125B2 (en) * 1999-11-09 2010-04-14 ソニー株式会社 Information processing apparatus and method, and recording medium
JP2001192100A (en) * 2000-01-04 2001-07-17 Tatsuno Corp Oil feeder
US6912503B1 (en) 2000-01-14 2005-06-28 Gilbarco Inc. Multistage data purchase with mobile information ordering and docking station receipt
NL1015476C2 (en) * 2000-06-20 2001-12-28 Nedap Nv Pump release and payment system via mobile phone.
US7082406B1 (en) * 2000-06-22 2006-07-25 Gilbarco Inc. Multi-stage accounting system for a fueling environment
US6571201B1 (en) * 2000-08-18 2003-05-27 Gilbarco Inc. Remote-access fuel dispenser using a data type aware mark-up language
US6538261B1 (en) 2000-10-27 2003-03-25 Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. Wet line fluid removal system with optical sensor
US6463967B1 (en) * 2000-11-17 2002-10-15 The Lubrizol Corporation System for diagnosing, maintaining and reporting the performance and safety condition of apparatus during refueling
US7565307B1 (en) * 2000-12-21 2009-07-21 Tc License Ltd. Automatic payment method using RF ID tags
US8315563B2 (en) * 2000-12-22 2012-11-20 Google Inc. Wireless reader tags (WRTs) with sensor components in asset monitoring and tracking systems
US7733818B2 (en) * 2000-12-22 2010-06-08 Terahop Networks, Inc. Intelligent node communication using network formation messages in a mobile Ad hoc network
US8144671B2 (en) 2005-07-01 2012-03-27 Twitchell Jr Robert W Communicating via nondeterministic and deterministic network routing
US8280345B2 (en) * 2000-12-22 2012-10-02 Google Inc. LPRF device wake up using wireless tag
US20090016308A1 (en) * 2000-12-22 2009-01-15 Terahop Networks, Inc. Antenna in cargo container monitoring and security system
US20080303897A1 (en) * 2000-12-22 2008-12-11 Terahop Networks, Inc. Visually capturing and monitoring contents and events of cargo container
DE60116620D1 (en) * 2001-05-01 2006-04-06 Directcast Network Llc FUEL SUPPLY JETS FOR COMPLETION
US20040221920A1 (en) * 2001-05-01 2004-11-11 Ferguson James D Fuel dispensing nozzle construction
MXPA03010697A (en) 2001-05-21 2005-03-07 Colder Prod Co Connector apparatus and method for connecting the same for controlling fluid dispensing.
US20020183975A1 (en) * 2001-06-01 2002-12-05 Wiens Jack A. Method and apparatus for passively monitoring of a vehicle during distribution of fluid products thereto
US7343252B2 (en) * 2001-06-01 2008-03-11 Scientronix Inc. Method, system and apparatus for passively monitoring the maintenance and distribution of fluid products to heavy work vehicles
US7557696B2 (en) * 2001-09-11 2009-07-07 Zonar Systems, Inc. System and process to record inspection compliance data
US8972179B2 (en) 2006-06-20 2015-03-03 Brett Brinton Method and apparatus to analyze GPS data to determine if a vehicle has adhered to a predetermined route
US20110068954A1 (en) 2006-06-20 2011-03-24 Zonar Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus to collect object identification data during operation of a vehicle and analysis of such data
US8400296B2 (en) 2001-09-11 2013-03-19 Zonar Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus to automate data collection during a mandatory inspection
US8810385B2 (en) 2001-09-11 2014-08-19 Zonar Systems, Inc. System and method to improve the efficiency of vehicle inspections by enabling remote actuation of vehicle components
US11341853B2 (en) 2001-09-11 2022-05-24 Zonar Systems, Inc. System and method to enhance the utility of vehicle inspection records by including route identification data in each vehicle inspection record
US20150170521A1 (en) 2001-09-11 2015-06-18 Zonar Systems, Inc. System and method to enhance the utility of vehicle inspection records by including route identification data in each vehicle inspection record
GB0208099D0 (en) * 2002-04-09 2002-05-22 Syltone Plc Fluid supply system
US7224273B2 (en) * 2002-05-23 2007-05-29 Forster Ian J Device and method for identifying a container
US6946953B2 (en) * 2002-05-30 2005-09-20 Vehicle Enhancement Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method for enhanced data communications and control between a vehicle and a remote data communications terminal
EP1375415A1 (en) * 2002-06-20 2004-01-02 Gilbarco S.p.A. Apparatus and method for controlling the filing of a tank
ITMI20022419A1 (en) * 2002-11-15 2004-05-16 Nuovo Pignone Spa METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR VERIFYING AN ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT
US6991160B2 (en) * 2003-01-21 2006-01-31 Entec Stations, Inc. Methods and systems for remote authorization of fuel dispensing
US7604169B2 (en) * 2003-01-21 2009-10-20 Pump-On Llc Methods and systems for customer validation using any of a plurality of identification documents and identification document readers
US7481366B2 (en) * 2003-01-21 2009-01-27 Pump-On Llc Methods and systems for customer validation using an identification document and/or one or more pins
TW200507579A (en) * 2003-06-10 2005-02-16 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd License distribution method, information content providing method and relevant system
US20050061390A1 (en) * 2003-08-20 2005-03-24 Mathis James E. Method and apparatus for data transfer
US7315246B2 (en) * 2003-10-27 2008-01-01 Savi Technology, Inc. Security and monitoring for containers
US7317387B1 (en) 2003-11-07 2008-01-08 Savi Technology, Inc. Method and apparatus for increased container security
WO2005094172A2 (en) 2004-03-30 2005-10-13 Hi-G-Tek Inc. Monitorable locking assemblies
US7295919B2 (en) * 2004-04-03 2007-11-13 Nas Corp. System for delivering propane or other consumable liquid to remotely located storage tanks
US7937216B2 (en) * 2004-04-03 2011-05-03 Humphrey Richard L System for monitoring propane or other consumable liquid in remotely located storage tanks
US20060243347A1 (en) * 2005-04-02 2006-11-02 Humphrey Richard L System for monitoring propane or other consumable liquid in remotely located storage tanks
US8312262B2 (en) * 2004-04-30 2012-11-13 Qualcomm Incorporated Management of signing privileges for a cryptographic signing service
US7142107B2 (en) 2004-05-27 2006-11-28 Lawrence Kates Wireless sensor unit
US6899151B1 (en) * 2004-06-07 2005-05-31 Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. Lighted supervisory system for a fuel dispensing nozzle
US20060012479A1 (en) * 2004-06-18 2006-01-19 Meir Ezra Fuel dispensing system
US8258950B2 (en) * 2004-07-15 2012-09-04 Savi Technology, Inc. Method and apparatus for control or monitoring of a container
US20080262936A1 (en) * 2004-12-29 2008-10-23 Koninklijke Kpn N.V. Method And System For Fueling
FR2882353A1 (en) * 2005-02-21 2006-08-25 Inergy Automotive Systems Res FUEL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE FILLING OF A FUEL TANK
WO2007027206A2 (en) * 2005-04-11 2007-03-08 Coffee Equipment Company Machine for brewing a beverage such as coffee and related method
EP1940268B1 (en) * 2005-04-11 2011-11-09 Starbucks Corporation Machine for brewing a beverage such as coffee and related method
CA2509804A1 (en) * 2005-06-15 2006-12-15 Kolombo Technologies Ltee Remote and real time management and intervention system for industrial vehicles for road transport
US20070008107A1 (en) * 2005-06-21 2007-01-11 Savi Technology, Inc. Method and apparatus for monitoring mobile containers
US8626377B2 (en) 2005-08-15 2014-01-07 Innovative Global Systems, Llc Method for data communication between a vehicle and fuel pump
US7117075B1 (en) 2005-08-15 2006-10-03 Report On Board Llc Driver activity and vehicle operation logging and reporting
US9818120B2 (en) 2015-02-20 2017-11-14 Innovative Global Systems, Llc Automated at-the-pump system and method for managing vehicle fuel purchases
US7451789B2 (en) * 2005-09-30 2008-11-18 Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. Tank car loading control and monitoring system and method
WO2007049274A2 (en) 2005-10-24 2007-05-03 Petratec International Ltd. Devices and methods useful for authorizing purchases associated with a vehicle
EP1946259A2 (en) * 2005-10-24 2008-07-23 Petratec International Ltd. System and method for authorizing purchases associated with a vehicle
US7538672B2 (en) * 2005-11-01 2009-05-26 Savi Technology, Inc. Method and apparatus for capacitive sensing of door position
US7808383B2 (en) * 2005-11-03 2010-10-05 Savi Technology, Inc. Method and apparatus for monitoring an environmental condition with a tag
US7523770B2 (en) * 2005-12-12 2009-04-28 Exxonmobil Research And Enginnering Company Service station for serving requirements of multiple vehicle technologies
US20080051939A1 (en) * 2006-04-12 2008-02-28 Syn-Tech Systems, Inc. Apparatus for autonomous data collection and processing of fuel transactions from mobile tanker trucks
US7401741B2 (en) * 2006-05-18 2008-07-22 Xata Corporation Portable data storage module
US7784707B2 (en) 2006-05-18 2010-08-31 Xata Corporation Environmental condition monitoring of a container
US9230437B2 (en) * 2006-06-20 2016-01-05 Zonar Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus to encode fuel use data with GPS data and to analyze such data
US10056008B1 (en) 2006-06-20 2018-08-21 Zonar Systems, Inc. Using telematics data including position data and vehicle analytics to train drivers to improve efficiency of vehicle use
DE202006013899U1 (en) 2006-09-07 2006-11-16 Laue, Hans-Joachim, Prof. Dr. Transportable milk container, for feeding working animals, especially calves, comprises a control unit having a microprocessor connected to a temperature sensor and a heater
EP2114817B1 (en) * 2007-01-25 2013-05-01 Petratec International Ltd. Vehicle identification tag reader
US20080179397A1 (en) * 2007-01-30 2008-07-31 Demere Raymond S Methods and systems for customer validation and payment using any of a plurality of identification documents
US9792632B2 (en) * 2007-02-23 2017-10-17 Epona Llc System and method for processing vehicle transactions
US9715683B2 (en) 2007-02-23 2017-07-25 Epona Llc System and method for controlling service systems
US20080203146A1 (en) * 2007-02-23 2008-08-28 Newfuel Acquisition Corp. System and Method for Controlling Service Systems
US9830637B2 (en) * 2007-02-23 2017-11-28 Epona Llc System and method for processing vehicle transactions
US7667597B2 (en) 2007-03-09 2010-02-23 Savi Technology, Inc. Method and apparatus using magnetic flux for container security
WO2008111075A2 (en) * 2007-03-13 2008-09-18 Petratec International Ltd. Antenna assembly for service station
DE102007024006A1 (en) * 2007-05-22 2008-11-27 Endress + Hauser Flowtec Ag gauge
US20090048708A1 (en) * 2007-08-15 2009-02-19 Deline Jonathan E Fuel dispenser
EP2523148A1 (en) 2007-10-19 2012-11-14 Petratec International Ltd. RFID tag especially for use near conductive objects
EP2279464A4 (en) * 2008-04-25 2011-09-28 Meir Ezra Fuel delivery pathway control
US8207848B2 (en) * 2008-05-16 2012-06-26 Google Inc. Locking system for shipping container including bolt seal and electronic device with arms for receiving bolt seal
WO2009151877A2 (en) * 2008-05-16 2009-12-17 Terahop Networks, Inc. Systems and apparatus for securing a container
US8442783B2 (en) * 2008-08-15 2013-05-14 Peter Piszko Method of and apparatus for recording fuel supplied to a vehicle
DE102008055484B4 (en) * 2008-12-05 2013-12-12 Robben & Wientjes Ohg Tank protection and counterfeit refueling of a motor vehicle
US8391435B2 (en) 2008-12-25 2013-03-05 Google Inc. Receiver state estimation in a duty cycled radio
US20100180983A1 (en) * 2009-01-16 2010-07-22 Ford Motor Company Fueling system and method
CA2977461C (en) 2009-02-11 2020-04-28 Pepsico, Inc. Beverage dispense valve controlled by wireless technology
US20100265033A1 (en) * 2009-04-17 2010-10-21 Fleet Data Systems, Llc Hands-free fueling control system
US8401779B2 (en) * 2009-06-08 2013-03-19 Lear Corporation SEG (smart energy gateway) for optimized energy flow control
DE102010000478A1 (en) * 2010-02-19 2011-08-25 Hammelmann Maschinenfabrik GmbH, 59302 Method for interrupting the operation of a cutting jet and apparatus for carrying out the method
US8874475B2 (en) 2010-02-26 2014-10-28 Epona Llc Method and system for managing and monitoring fuel transactions
EP2372667B1 (en) * 2010-04-02 2012-08-22 Kapsch TrafficCom AG Method for detecting vehicles with trailers
US20110291828A1 (en) * 2010-06-01 2011-12-01 Walker Timothy A Embedded communication system for refrigerated transportation containers
IT1400877B1 (en) * 2010-07-06 2013-07-02 Coptron Soc Coop CHARGING DEVICE FOR DEVICES FOR RECOGNIZING VEHICLES DURING FUEL SUPPLY.
US10600096B2 (en) 2010-11-30 2020-03-24 Zonar Systems, Inc. System and method for obtaining competitive pricing for vehicle services
US10665040B2 (en) 2010-08-27 2020-05-26 Zonar Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for remote vehicle diagnosis
US9830571B2 (en) 2010-09-23 2017-11-28 Epona Llc System and method for coordinating transport of cargo
US9881432B2 (en) 2010-10-18 2018-01-30 Zonar Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for an automated fuel authorization program for fuel terminals using a camera as part of the authorization process
US9815681B2 (en) 2010-10-18 2017-11-14 Zonar Systems, Inc. Apparatus for use in an automated fuel authorization program requiring data to be dynamically retrieved from a vehicle data bus during fuel authorization
US9828233B2 (en) 2010-10-18 2017-11-28 Zonar Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for automatically monitoring fuel tank ullage in an automated fuel authorization program
US9856129B2 (en) 2010-10-18 2018-01-02 Zonar Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for automatically monitoring fuel tank ullage in an automated fuel authorization program
US8736419B2 (en) 2010-12-02 2014-05-27 Zonar Systems Method and apparatus for implementing a vehicle inspection waiver program
US10431020B2 (en) 2010-12-02 2019-10-01 Zonar Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for implementing a vehicle inspection waiver program
US10706647B2 (en) 2010-12-02 2020-07-07 Zonar Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for implementing a vehicle inspection waiver program
US8914184B2 (en) 2012-04-01 2014-12-16 Zonar Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for matching vehicle ECU programming to current vehicle operating conditions
AR080833A1 (en) * 2011-04-06 2012-05-09 Hasenay Jose Bladimiro FUEL LOAD CONTROL DEVICE AND APPLICABLE CONTROL PROCEDURE.
US10642286B2 (en) * 2012-04-20 2020-05-05 Nordson Corporation Device, system, and method for tracking the configuration or operational history of a nozzle in a fluid jetting system
PL2660792T3 (en) * 2012-05-03 2015-02-27 Kapsch Trafficcom Ag Method for detecting vehicles with loads
WO2014076699A1 (en) 2012-11-13 2014-05-22 Fuel Vision Ltd. System and method for securing fuel transactions by image recognition and processing
US8967466B2 (en) * 2013-01-09 2015-03-03 Powertree Services, Inc. Automatic authentication for service access for fueling of vehicles
US9787950B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2017-10-10 Zonar Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for an automated fuel authorization program for fuel terminals using a camera as part of the authorization process
US9607464B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2017-03-28 Zonar Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for fuel island authorization for trucking industry using proximity sensors
EP3055247A4 (en) * 2013-10-10 2017-05-17 NGC Innovation AB Fuel dispenser locking arrangement
US10108936B1 (en) 2013-12-13 2018-10-23 Robert P. Garner Electronic run ticket
US10580001B2 (en) * 2014-01-13 2020-03-03 Epona Llc Vehicle transaction data communication using communication device
US20150204108A1 (en) * 2014-07-14 2015-07-23 Lear Corporation Key Fob Having Electrical Port Concealed by Removable Key
US9340298B1 (en) 2015-01-12 2016-05-17 FliteLogix, LLC Aircraft refueling safety system
US9663012B2 (en) * 2015-03-16 2017-05-30 Caterpillar Inc. Managing dump body controls on automonous machines
US9935687B2 (en) * 2015-06-29 2018-04-03 Near Field Magnetics, Inc. System and method for data collection using near-field magnetic induction
US10210696B2 (en) * 2015-12-23 2019-02-19 Fuel Cloud IP Holding, LLC Integrated fuel dispensing and accounting system
US10417722B2 (en) * 2015-12-23 2019-09-17 FuelCloud IP Holding, LLC Integrated fuel dispensing and accounting system
US10565817B2 (en) * 2015-12-23 2020-02-18 Fuel Cloud Ip Holding Llc Integrated fuel dispensing and accounting system
USD806232S1 (en) 2016-01-21 2017-12-26 Becton, Dickinson And Company Drug delivery device with insertion mechanism
USD829894S1 (en) 2016-01-21 2018-10-02 Becton, Dickinson And Company Wearable drug delivery device baseplate
USD829889S1 (en) 2016-01-21 2018-10-02 Becton, Dickinson And Company Wearable drug delivery device with adhesive
USD805631S1 (en) 2016-01-21 2017-12-19 Becton, Dickinson And Company Drug delivery device with insertion mechanism button safety
USD830547S1 (en) 2016-01-21 2018-10-09 Becton, Dickinson And Company Adhesive liner for wearable drug delivery device
USD857191S1 (en) 2016-01-21 2019-08-20 Becton, Dickinson And Company Wearable drug delivery device
USD830537S1 (en) 2016-01-21 2018-10-09 Becton, Dickinson And Company Wearable drug delivery device with adhesive and liner
US9886708B2 (en) * 2016-02-01 2018-02-06 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Method and apparatus for secure processing of fuel delivery requests
EP3445706B1 (en) 2016-04-21 2023-10-11 Wayne Fueling Systems Llc Intelligent fuel dispensers
US20170323263A1 (en) * 2016-05-03 2017-11-09 Cnh Industrial America Llc Equipment library with link to manufacturer database
US10046962B2 (en) * 2016-06-21 2018-08-14 Hall Labs Llc Mobile vehicle refueling system
US10138112B2 (en) * 2016-07-21 2018-11-27 Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. Smart fuel dispenser for efficient fuel delivery
US20180229995A1 (en) * 2017-02-16 2018-08-16 Luigi Piccione Fuel transfer and monitoring system
JP6738561B2 (en) * 2017-06-21 2020-08-12 株式会社タツノ Filling device
JP7267929B2 (en) * 2017-09-15 2023-05-02 グラコ ミネソタ インコーポレーテッド A dispensing device comprising a handheld fluid meter having a control valve, a nozzle and a nozzle stem
US11209300B2 (en) * 2018-03-29 2021-12-28 William Arthur Johnson Fluid monitoring system and methods of use
FR3079907B1 (en) * 2018-04-09 2021-01-08 Air Liquide TANK FILLING STATION (S)
FR3079908B1 (en) * 2018-04-09 2021-02-19 Air Liquide TANK FILLING STATION (S)
US11174852B2 (en) 2018-07-20 2021-11-16 Becton, Dickinson And Company Reciprocating pump
AU2019339918A1 (en) 2018-09-10 2021-05-06 Walnab Pty Ltd Fluid dispensing or recovery system
US10891582B2 (en) * 2018-10-23 2021-01-12 Sap Se Smart inventory for logistics
US11199855B2 (en) * 2019-08-20 2021-12-14 Lisandro Chacin System and method for lube cost control on heavy machinery
FR3106688B1 (en) * 2020-01-29 2022-03-25 Air Liquide Access control for a gas cylinder
MX2020004235A (en) * 2020-04-23 2022-01-14 Edison Effect Company Sapi De Cv System for the supply, monitoring, and control of fluids from sources of supply to fixed locations.
KR20230051193A (en) 2020-07-13 2023-04-17 아이비스 인크. Hydrogen fuel supply system and method
CN111977602B (en) * 2020-09-17 2022-02-22 中国石油化工股份有限公司西北油田分公司 Long-range oil filling riser loading device
US11667165B1 (en) * 2020-09-29 2023-06-06 Orbcomm Inc. System, method and apparatus for multi-zone container monitoring
US11034574B1 (en) * 2020-10-16 2021-06-15 Brent Sisson Fuel transport sensor system
US11891296B2 (en) * 2020-10-23 2024-02-06 Tyton Holdings, Inc. Distribution manifold for multi-port fuel distribution
EP4075050A1 (en) * 2021-04-12 2022-10-19 Linde GmbH System for the fail-safe identification of a vehicle for refueling a vehicle with hydrogen

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6046992A (en) * 1991-10-01 2000-04-04 Intermec Ip Corp. Radio frequency local area network
US6193154B1 (en) * 1994-08-24 2001-02-27 The Coca-Cola Company Method and apparatus for vending goods in conjunction with a credit card accepting fuel dispensing pump
US6422465B2 (en) * 1991-05-31 2002-07-23 Marathon Ashland Petroleum Llc Bar code gasoline blending

Family Cites Families (179)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3054904A (en) 1961-02-20 1962-09-18 Fuciarelli Frank Remote control automotive starting system
US3492494A (en) 1967-05-17 1970-01-27 Thomas M Clark Anti-theft electronic switch
US3650303A (en) 1970-01-02 1972-03-21 Atlantic Richfield Co Method and apparatus
US3642036A (en) 1970-04-30 1972-02-15 Irwin Ginsburgh Automatic fueling system for automobiles
US3713148A (en) 1970-05-21 1973-01-23 Communications Services Corp I Transponder apparatus and system
US3742150A (en) 1971-04-28 1973-06-26 Mobility Sys Inc Inductively coupled data communication apparatus
US3786421A (en) 1972-05-25 1974-01-15 Atlantic Richfield Co Automated dispensing system
US3814148A (en) 1972-07-19 1974-06-04 Atlantic Richfield Co Vehicle fueling apparatus
US3844264A (en) 1972-11-09 1974-10-29 L Grainger Anti-pollution fuel system
US4067061A (en) 1975-03-18 1978-01-03 Rockwell International Corporation Monitoring and recording system for vehicles
USRE30686E (en) 1975-12-23 1981-07-21 Remote starting system for a combustion engine
US4080537A (en) 1975-12-23 1978-03-21 Bucher Jeffry C Remote starting system for a combustion engine
US4106006A (en) 1976-01-26 1978-08-08 Wagner Electric Corporation Dual-frequency induction-keyed control circuit with keying network having variable resonant frequency
US4109686A (en) 1977-07-06 1978-08-29 Phillips Jacque R Tax adjusting vehicle gasoline filler equipment
US4148372A (en) 1977-09-21 1979-04-10 General Motors Corporation Resistor coded theft deterrent system
US4189712A (en) 1977-11-09 1980-02-19 Lemelson Jerome H Switch and lock activating system and method
US4354189A (en) 1977-11-09 1982-10-12 Lemelson Jerome H Switch and lock activating system and method
ZA7994B (en) 1978-01-11 1980-01-30 Tag Radionics Ltd Presence sensing system
US4258421A (en) * 1978-02-27 1981-03-24 Rockwell International Corporation Vehicle monitoring and recording system
IL55057A (en) 1978-07-02 1984-01-31 Zuck Or Ltd Apparatus for preventing vehicle theft
US4175635A (en) 1978-07-06 1979-11-27 James Thomas Anti-theft device for internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle
US4186381A (en) * 1978-07-24 1980-01-29 Veeder Industries Inc. Gasoline station registration and control system
US4236594A (en) 1978-08-21 1980-12-02 Skip D. McFarlin System for automatically controlling automotive starting and accessory functions
US4227588A (en) 1978-12-06 1980-10-14 Biancardi Michael J Automatic vehicle starting apparatus
US4200227A (en) 1978-12-26 1980-04-29 Lemelson Jerome H Key assembly for electronic system
US4250550A (en) * 1979-03-09 1981-02-10 Veeder Industries Inc. Fuel delivery control system
GB2051442B (en) 1979-03-30 1984-02-01 Howard J A Security system
US4383242A (en) 1979-06-04 1983-05-10 Tmx Systems Limited Automobile anti-theft system
US4361202A (en) * 1979-06-15 1982-11-30 Michael Minovitch Automated road transportation system
US4263945A (en) * 1979-06-20 1981-04-28 Ness Bradford O Van Automatic fuel dispensing control system
DE2925131A1 (en) 1979-06-22 1981-01-08 Daimler Benz Ag DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING OPERATING AND CALCULATING VALUES
US4499464A (en) 1979-09-21 1985-02-12 Ardac, Inc. Apparatus for remote authorization for dispensing fluids
US4532511A (en) 1979-10-12 1985-07-30 Lemelson Jerome H Automatic vehicle identification system and method
US4937581A (en) 1980-02-13 1990-06-26 Eid Electronic Identification Systems Ltd. Electronic identification system
ZA81888B (en) 1980-02-13 1982-03-31 Sensory Systems Lab Electronic identification system
US4453161A (en) 1980-02-15 1984-06-05 Lemelson Jerome H Switch activating system and method
US4482964A (en) * 1980-03-10 1984-11-13 Exxon Research And Engineering Co. Fluid register system
US4345146A (en) * 1980-03-25 1982-08-17 Story James R Apparatus and method for an electronic identification, actuation and recording system
SU1068051A3 (en) * 1980-05-19 1984-01-15 Таг Радионикс Лимитед (Фирма) Device for transmitting and receiving signals
DE3048861A1 (en) 1980-07-14 1982-07-15 John L. Denver Col. Royster SECURITY SYSTEM
GB2087969A (en) 1980-07-14 1982-06-03 Royster John L Remote control vehicle security system
JPS5732144A (en) * 1980-08-06 1982-02-20 Nippon Gakki Seizo Kk Energy and/or data transmitter and receiver
JPS5790236A (en) 1980-11-25 1982-06-04 Nippon Denso Co Ltd Car driving control device
US4384288A (en) 1980-12-31 1983-05-17 Walton Charles A Portable radio frequency emitting identifier
DE3101636A1 (en) * 1981-01-20 1982-08-26 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München DEVICE FOR WIRELESS INFORMATION TRANSFER
GB2100705B (en) 1981-06-23 1985-01-30 Monitronix Syst Monitored delivery systems
DE3132016C2 (en) 1981-08-13 1984-07-26 Daimler-Benz Ag, 7000 Stuttgart Anti-theft device for a motor vehicle
US4438426A (en) 1981-10-22 1984-03-20 Darrell E. Issa Electronic key anti-theft system
DE3149789C1 (en) * 1981-12-16 1983-08-25 Angewandte Digital Elektronik Gmbh, 2051 Brunstorf Device for inductive identification of an information item
US4490798A (en) 1981-12-16 1984-12-25 Art Systems, Inc. Fuel dispensing and vehicle maintenance system
GB2113756B (en) 1982-01-15 1985-10-02 Ford Motor Co Preventing vehicle theft
US4473825A (en) 1982-03-05 1984-09-25 Walton Charles A Electronic identification system with power input-output interlock and increased capabilities
US4510495A (en) 1982-08-09 1985-04-09 Cornell Research Foundation, Inc. Remote passive identification system
FR2533516B1 (en) 1982-09-24 1985-11-29 Verine Jean Pierre ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE
JPS5982577A (en) 1982-11-02 1984-05-12 Nippon Denso Co Ltd Starting control device for car prime mover
DE3308803A1 (en) 1983-03-12 1984-09-13 Hans-Hellmut Dipl.-Ing. 2061 Sülfeld Ernst START OPERATING AND CONTROL UNIT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
US4563739A (en) 1983-07-18 1986-01-07 Impulse Computer Systems, Inc. Inventory and business management system which accounts for the contents of full and partially filled product containers
GB2147273A (en) 1983-10-01 1985-05-09 Donald Green Apparatus for dispensing fluids
JPS60215983A (en) 1984-04-12 1985-10-29 日産自動車株式会社 Locking and unlocking control apparatus for car
US4627553A (en) 1984-01-18 1986-12-09 Tokico Ltd. Fuel supplying apparatus having quantity and price preset switches
US4650981A (en) 1984-01-26 1987-03-17 Foletta Wayne S Credit card with active electronics
EP0153613B1 (en) 1984-02-23 1989-04-26 Identitech Corporation Passive keyless entry system
US4602127A (en) * 1984-03-09 1986-07-22 Micro Processor Systems, Inc. Diagnostic data recorder
US4754255A (en) 1984-03-12 1988-06-28 Sanders Rudy T User identifying vehicle control and security device
US4600829A (en) 1984-04-02 1986-07-15 Walton Charles A Electronic proximity identification and recognition system with isolated two-way coupling
FR2568835B1 (en) 1984-08-08 1988-05-27 Numerex DEVICE AUTHORIZING OR PROHIBITING A FLUID SUPPLY, IN PARTICULAR BY FUEL ON A MOTOR VEHICLE
US4630292A (en) 1984-08-13 1986-12-16 Juricich Ronald A Fuel tax rebate recorder
FR2569641B1 (en) 1984-08-31 1991-05-03 Kiekert Gmbh Co Kg SAFETY DEVICE AGAINST UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
EP0179160A1 (en) 1984-10-22 1986-04-30 Rudolf Kurt Hermann Wuttke Car fleet management system and technique
DE3438939C1 (en) * 1984-10-24 1986-05-22 Deutsche Gerätebau GmbH, 4796 Salzkotten Device for transmitting and displaying control and measurement data relating to inflammable liquids or gases conveyed in pipelines or flexible hose lines
US4692604A (en) 1984-10-25 1987-09-08 American Telephone And Telegraph Company, At&T Bell Laboratories Flexible inductor
GB8432807D0 (en) * 1984-12-31 1985-02-06 Emx International Ltd Loop data link
CA1247743A (en) 1985-01-24 1988-12-28 Izuru Morita Operation data recording system
JPS61196080A (en) 1985-02-21 1986-08-30 日産自動車株式会社 Wireless user discrimination apparatus
AU5481786A (en) 1985-03-20 1986-09-25 Hochmair, E.S. Transcutaneous power and signal transmission system
KR870000849B1 (en) 1985-03-25 1987-04-25 두성정밀산업 주식회사 An electronic door key
JPS61229645A (en) 1985-04-02 1986-10-13 Aisin Seiki Co Ltd Engine start control device
US4837556A (en) 1985-04-15 1989-06-06 Kabushiki Kaisha Nihon Denzai Kogyo Kenkyusho Signal transmission device
GB2174383B (en) 1985-04-29 1988-09-14 Stained Glass Systems Ltd Coloured glass articles
NL8501581A (en) 1985-06-03 1987-01-02 Nedap Nv METHOD FOR SELECTIVE FILLING OR EMPTYING STORAGE OR STOCK TANKS.
GB2176327B (en) * 1985-06-05 1988-06-29 John Jones Identification system
SE8503257L (en) 1985-07-01 1987-01-02 Volvo Ab ELECTRONIC WELDING SYSTEM
US4749873A (en) 1985-07-25 1988-06-07 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Anti-theft device for an automobile
JPS6237479A (en) 1985-08-12 1987-02-18 日産自動車株式会社 Wireless type locking and releasing controller
US4839854A (en) 1985-09-13 1989-06-13 Seiko Instruments & Electronics Ltd. Data collection system having stationary unit with electromagnetic induction circuitry for bidirectionally relaying data
DE3536377A1 (en) 1985-10-11 1987-04-16 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag SAFETY DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
US4752899A (en) 1985-10-23 1988-06-21 Newman John W Condition monitoring system for locomotives
JPS62128358A (en) 1985-11-29 1987-06-10 Toshiba Corp Admission management system
US4926331A (en) 1986-02-25 1990-05-15 Navistar International Transportation Corp. Truck operation monitoring system
US4691801A (en) 1986-03-03 1987-09-08 Yale Mann Vehicle protection device
JPS62203854A (en) 1986-03-03 1987-09-08 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd Card system for automobile
GB8605794D0 (en) 1986-03-10 1986-04-16 Norris D H Immobilising vehicle
US4795898A (en) 1986-04-28 1989-01-03 American Telephone And Telegraph Company Personal memory card having a contactless interface using differential data transfer
US4798322A (en) 1986-04-28 1989-01-17 American Telephone And Telegraph Company Card reader/writer station for use with a personal memory card using differential data transfer
DE3620297C1 (en) 1986-06-16 1987-09-24 Helmut Hirtz Anti-theft device for motor vehicles with electronic engine control units
JP2509470B2 (en) 1986-06-18 1996-06-19 株式会社 タツノ・メカトロニクス Sales amount clearing system
FR2600318B1 (en) * 1986-06-18 1989-03-10 Cga Hbs FUEL DISTRIBUTION DEVICE AND MANAGEMENT OF THIS DISTRIBUTION
FR2600604B1 (en) 1986-06-26 1990-04-13 Gillonnier Julien ANTITHEFT DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES FOR CONTROLLED DURATION STARTING
US4779090A (en) 1986-08-06 1988-10-18 Micznik Isaiah B Electronic security system with two-way communication between lock and key
US4809199A (en) 1986-08-18 1989-02-28 Electro-Mechanical Products Keyless access and engine control system
NL8602148A (en) 1986-08-25 1988-03-16 Nedap Nv IDENTIFICATION FOR THE LOADING AND UNLOADING OF TANK CARRIAGES.
JPS6393649A (en) 1986-10-07 1988-04-23 Tokai Rika Co Ltd Key device for vehicle
JPH0747910B2 (en) 1986-10-24 1995-05-24 日産自動車株式会社 Remote control device
GB2197101B (en) 1986-11-08 1991-04-17 Rigby Electronic Group Plc Coded key system
JPH0747905B2 (en) 1986-11-14 1995-05-24 本田技研工業株式会社 Anti-theft device for vehicle
US4829166A (en) 1986-12-01 1989-05-09 Froelich Ronald W Computerized data-bearing card and reader/writer therefor
CA1308565C (en) 1987-01-20 1992-10-13 Ford Motor Company Of Canada, Limited Programmable key and improved lock assembly
US4987402A (en) 1987-01-21 1991-01-22 Electronic Security Products Of California Alarm system for sensing and vocally warning of an unauthorized approach towards a protected object or zone
EP0304440B1 (en) 1987-01-22 1993-09-15 System Control Engineering Limited Vehicle security system
JP2556501B2 (en) 1987-02-09 1996-11-20 株式会社日立製作所 Driver's license card system
US4991683A (en) 1987-02-20 1991-02-12 Fail Proof Anti Theft System Pty. Ltd. Anti-theft vehicle system
JPS63233491A (en) 1987-03-20 1988-09-29 株式会社トキメック Operation recorder
AU1466888A (en) 1987-04-16 1988-10-20 Johnson, C.F. Electronic control unit
US4804937A (en) 1987-05-26 1989-02-14 Motorola, Inc. Vehicle monitoring arrangement and system
US4805722A (en) 1987-06-26 1989-02-21 William Keating Anti theft system for motor vehicles and the like
CA1256075A (en) * 1987-07-10 1989-06-20 Bruce Thompson Bulk dispensing apparatus system
US5054569A (en) 1987-07-27 1991-10-08 Comfort Key Corporation Remote vehicle starting system
US4808803A (en) 1987-08-24 1989-02-28 Figgi International, Inc. Security system
US4965460A (en) 1987-08-25 1990-10-23 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Anti-theft system for a vehicle
AU602791B2 (en) 1987-09-04 1990-10-25 Trans-Mit Pty Ltd Fuel delivery identification system
WO1989002508A1 (en) 1987-09-07 1989-03-23 Robb Farm Industries Pty. Ltd. Coded security device
US4887064A (en) 1987-12-28 1989-12-12 Clifford Electronics, Inc. Multi-featured security system with self-diagnostic capability
US4898010A (en) 1987-10-28 1990-02-06 Nissan Motor Company, Limited Keyless entry system for automotive vehicles
CA1252545A (en) 1987-12-09 1989-04-11 Joshua K. Tin Two way remote controller
US5103932A (en) 1988-02-16 1992-04-14 Myers Holdings Pty. Ltd. Security system for an environment
EP0407402A4 (en) 1988-02-18 1991-07-24 Australian Security,Technology And Development Pty. Ltd Security apparatus
JPH0776724B2 (en) * 1988-02-18 1995-08-16 富士重工業株式会社 Vehicle diagnostic device
US4852680A (en) 1988-04-07 1989-08-01 J. I. Case Company Vehicle anti-theft system with remote security module
GB8819003D0 (en) 1988-04-14 1988-09-14 Liftsonic Ltd Electrical apparatus
US4942393A (en) 1988-05-27 1990-07-17 Lectron Products, Inc. Passive keyless entry system
GB8815584D0 (en) 1988-06-30 1988-08-03 Analytical Instr Ltd Fleet data monitoring system
GB8816159D0 (en) 1988-07-07 1988-08-10 Intelbrit Technologies Motor vehicle anti theft device
FR2634706B1 (en) 1988-07-29 1993-06-18 Renault ELECTRONIC ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE
US4980680A (en) 1988-08-02 1990-12-25 Gte Products Corp. And Gte Laboratories, Inc. Coded surface acoustical wave (saw) motor vehicle security device
US4931664A (en) 1988-08-02 1990-06-05 Gte Products Corporation Controller for coded surface acoustical wave (SAW) security system
GB2222714A (en) 1988-09-09 1990-03-14 Avery Ltd W & T Cashless payment system
US5025253A (en) 1988-10-14 1991-06-18 Secura Corporation System and method for remotely monitoring the connect/disconnect status of a multiple part vehicle
US4897642A (en) 1988-10-14 1990-01-30 Secura Corporation Vehicle status monitor and management system employing satellite communication
US4929818A (en) 1988-11-15 1990-05-29 Rainbarrel Corporation Method and apparatus for vending a containerized product on multiple occasions following at least one refill of the container with the product
IT1227400B (en) 1988-11-15 1991-04-08 Delta Elettronica Spa ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM.
US4990906A (en) 1988-11-29 1991-02-05 Delco Electronics Corporation Programmable vehicle anti-theft system
US5049867A (en) 1988-11-30 1991-09-17 Code-Alarm, Inc. Vehicle security apparatus
GB2227791B (en) 1988-12-02 1993-07-28 Rover Group Vehicle security system
GB2228385B (en) * 1989-01-07 1993-08-25 Analytical Instr Ltd A vehicle monitoring system
AU617588B2 (en) * 1989-02-16 1991-11-28 Caltex Oil (Australia) Pty. Limited Point of sale audio-visual advertising system
US4967366A (en) * 1989-03-06 1990-10-30 Gilbarco Inc. Integrated gasoline dispenser and POS authorization system with unattached pin pad
US5058044A (en) * 1989-03-30 1991-10-15 Auto I.D. Inc. Automated maintenance checking system
DE69006885T3 (en) 1989-04-14 1999-05-20 Hitachi Ltd Control device for cars.
EP0393660B1 (en) 1989-04-20 1994-02-09 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Driver restriction apparatus for restricting a vehicle driver
US5081667A (en) 1989-05-01 1992-01-14 Clifford Electronics, Inc. System for integrating a cellular telephone with a vehicle security system
US5024186A (en) 1989-12-11 1991-06-18 Design Tech International, Inc. Remote automobile starter
US5185739A (en) * 1990-02-27 1993-02-09 Motorola, Inc. Time-allocation of radio carriers
US5184309A (en) * 1990-03-20 1993-02-02 Saber Equipment Corp. Fluid dispensing nozzle including in line flow meter and data processing unit
US5359522A (en) * 1990-05-09 1994-10-25 Ryan Michael C Fluid delivery control apparatus
US5086389A (en) 1990-05-17 1992-02-04 Hassett John J Automatic toll processing apparatus
US5072380A (en) * 1990-06-12 1991-12-10 Exxon Research And Engineering Company Automatic vehicle recognition and customer billing system
US5204819A (en) * 1990-08-27 1993-04-20 Ryan Michael C Fluid delivery control apparatus
US5156198A (en) * 1991-02-20 1992-10-20 Hall Gerald L Pump lock fuel system
US5442553A (en) * 1992-11-16 1995-08-15 Motorola Wireless motor vehicle diagnostic and software upgrade system
US5806018A (en) * 1993-05-25 1998-09-08 Intellectual Property Development Associates Of Connecticut, Incorporated Methods and apparatus for updating navigation information in a motorized vehicle
US5327066A (en) * 1993-05-25 1994-07-05 Intellectual Property Development Associates Of Connecticut, Inc. Methods and apparatus for dispensing a consumable energy source to a vehicle
US5422624A (en) * 1993-05-25 1995-06-06 Intellectual Property Development Associates Of Connecticut, Inc. Methods and apparatus for inputting messages, including advertisements, to a vehicle
US6542076B1 (en) 1993-06-08 2003-04-01 Raymond Anthony Joao Control, monitoring and/or security apparatus and method
US5444763A (en) * 1993-06-17 1995-08-22 Research In Motion Limited Translation and connection device for radio frequency point of sale transaction systems
FR2708813B1 (en) * 1993-07-30 1995-09-01 Alcatel Mobile Comm France Cellular radio system.
US5608632A (en) * 1993-10-19 1997-03-04 White; Robert M. Self-contained sequential-throttle-body-injection engine control system
US5642484A (en) * 1994-05-13 1997-06-24 Captive Communications, Inc. Pump top advertisement distribution and display system with performance and sales information feedback
US5604676A (en) * 1994-07-25 1997-02-18 Lucent Technologies Inc. System and method for coordinating personal transportation
EP0736484B1 (en) * 1995-03-10 2004-05-19 Michael C. Ryan Fluid delivery control nozzle
US6169938B1 (en) * 1995-12-08 2001-01-02 Marconi Commerce Systems Inc. Transponder communication of ORVR presence
FR2744853B1 (en) 1996-02-08 1998-04-30 Valeo Equip Electr Moteur DEVICE FOR REGULATING THE CHARGE VOLTAGE OF A BATTERY BY AN ALTERNATOR, AS A FUNCTION OF A REFERENCE VOLTAGE AND THE ROTATION SPEED OF THE ALTERNATOR
US5727608A (en) * 1996-05-24 1998-03-17 Nusbaumer; Joseph M. Automated fuel management system, components therefor, and methods of making the same
US6116298A (en) * 1996-10-28 2000-09-12 Hi-G-Tek Ltd. Fueling system
US5868179A (en) * 1997-03-04 1999-02-09 Gilbarco Inc. Precision fuel dispenser
US6073840A (en) 1997-09-26 2000-06-13 Gilbarco Inc. Fuel dispensing and retail system providing for transponder prepayment
US6078850A (en) * 1998-03-03 2000-06-20 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for fuel management and for preventing fuel spillage
US6571151B1 (en) 1998-03-06 2003-05-27 Russel Dean Leatherman Wireless nozzle interface for a fuel dispenser
US6024142A (en) * 1998-06-25 2000-02-15 Micron Communications, Inc. Communications system and method, fleet management system and method, and method of impeding theft of fuel
US6618362B1 (en) * 1998-07-21 2003-09-09 Gilbarco Inc. Apparatus and method for using a transponder as an information buffer

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6422465B2 (en) * 1991-05-31 2002-07-23 Marathon Ashland Petroleum Llc Bar code gasoline blending
US6046992A (en) * 1991-10-01 2000-04-04 Intermec Ip Corp. Radio frequency local area network
US6193154B1 (en) * 1994-08-24 2001-02-27 The Coca-Cola Company Method and apparatus for vending goods in conjunction with a credit card accepting fuel dispensing pump

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150161590A1 (en) * 2013-12-06 2015-06-11 Mastercard Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. System and method for conducting a transaction using a fuel dispensing nozzle
US10262325B2 (en) * 2015-04-29 2019-04-16 Wex Inc. Methods and systems for mobile fleet card activation
US10376911B2 (en) 2017-01-05 2019-08-13 Graco Minnesota Inc. Handheld fluid meter
US11292710B2 (en) 2017-09-15 2022-04-05 Graco Minnesota Inc. Fluid management system and fluid dispenser
US10589979B2 (en) * 2017-10-02 2020-03-17 Graco Minnesota Inc. Fluid management controller
US10647566B2 (en) 2017-10-10 2020-05-12 Graco Minnesota Inc. Dispensing meter authorization
US10843213B2 (en) 2017-10-10 2020-11-24 Graco Minnesota Inc. Fluid dispensing meter authorization
US11790715B2 (en) 2018-03-19 2023-10-17 Deutsche Post Ag Authenticating on automated shipment machines

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2220962T3 (en) 2004-12-16
EP0736484A3 (en) 1996-10-30
ATE267141T1 (en) 2004-06-15
US20130214904A1 (en) 2013-08-22
US5913180A (en) 1999-06-15
EP0736484B1 (en) 2004-05-19
EP1398293A2 (en) 2004-03-17
US8429095B1 (en) 2013-04-23
EP0736484A2 (en) 1996-10-09
DE69632502D1 (en) 2004-06-24
DE69632502T2 (en) 2005-05-25
EP1398293A3 (en) 2005-02-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5913180A (en) Fluid delivery control nozzle
EP0476858B1 (en) Fluid delivery control apparatus
US5359522A (en) Fluid delivery control apparatus
EP0456425B1 (en) Fluid delivery control apparatus
US6045040A (en) Bar code based refueling system
US11860653B2 (en) Preventing contamination in a bulk liquid storage tank
US7343252B2 (en) Method, system and apparatus for passively monitoring the maintenance and distribution of fluid products to heavy work vehicles
US6024142A (en) Communications system and method, fleet management system and method, and method of impeding theft of fuel
US7941354B2 (en) Method and system for lease of assets, such as trailers, storage devices and facilities
US20160221816A1 (en) Vehicle Data and Fuel Management System
US20070250452A1 (en) Apparatus for an automotive data control, acquisition and transfer system
US20070209607A1 (en) Fuel additive injection system
EP0982264A1 (en) Dispenser system for preventing unauthorized fueling
US20030195676A1 (en) Fuel and vehicle monitoring system and method
US20070056983A1 (en) Intelligent fluid distribution systems and methods
WO2011123938A1 (en) Tank identification delivery interlock system and method
WO2001070624A2 (en) Apparatus for monitoring and controlling fuel delivery and methods of monitoring and controlling same
JPH08104397A (en) Oil feed control device for oil station

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION