WO2001003983A1

WO2001003983A1 - Wireless vehicle fuel station vehicle fuel identifier and controller

Info

Publication number: WO2001003983A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/018697
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gregory M. Stewart
Original assignee: Idmicro, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-07-08
Filing date: 2000-07-07
Publication date: 2001-01-18
Also published as: AU6080000A

Abstract

A method and system for controlling dispensing of fuel so that fuel is only dispensed into authorized receptacles, such as the fuel tank of authorized vehicles, is disclosed. The system includes an RF module mounted on a fuel-dispensing nozzle for reading data stored in an RF tag mounted adjacent to the inlet spout of an authorized receptacle. The RF module only reads tag data when an antenna is within a predetermined distance of an RF tag. The distance is such that the fuel-dispensing nozzle must either be inside or very close to the fuel receiving spout of the receptacle. The RF module stores either tag derived data or no tag data. The stored data is transmitted to a pump controller that controls the enabling/disabling of a pump that supplies fuel to the fuel-dispensing nozzle.

Description

WIRELESS VEHICLE FUEL STATION VEHICLE FUEL IDENTIFIER AND CONTROLLER

Cross-Reference to Related Application This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/143,000, filed July 8, 1999.

Technical Area This invention is directed to fuel dispensing, and more particularly to systems for controlling the dispensing of fuel.

Background of the Invention Fuel is normally dispensed into the fuel tanks of vehicles, such as automobiles and trucks, at fuel-dispensing stations. Vehicles entering a fuel- dispensing station stop adjacent to a fuel dispenser. The operator of the vehicle removes a fuel nozzle handle from a parked location in the fuel dispenser, places the fuel nozzle into the spout of the vehicle's fuel tank, and dispenses fuel by operating a control mechanism. Operation of the control mechanism activates a pump located in the fuel dispenser that pumps fuel into the fuel tank of the vehicle.

As a cost-saving measure, many municipalities, trucking companies, taxicab companies, and other entities that maintain a large fleet of vehicles require operators to obtain fuel at unattended fuel-dispensing stations. Usually the vehicle operator has some form of identification, such as an access card, that, when read by a reader, enables a fuel dispenser located at an unattended fuel-dispensing station to dispense fuel. Unfortunately, in the past, there has been no accurate way of determining whether fuel is being dispensed into the fuel tank of an authorized vehicle or an unauthorized vehicle, or being dispensed into some other type of unauthorized receptacle, such as a five-gallon container, carried by the operator of an authorized vehicle. It has been found that a substantial amount of fuel dispensed by an unattended fuel-dispensing station is misappropriated by vehicle operators by being dispensed into unauthorized receptacles. The present invention is directed to providing a system for preventing the dispensing of fuel into unauthorized receptacles, including the fuel tanks of unauthorized vehicles.

Summary of the Invention In accordance with this invention, a system and method for controlling the dispensing of fuel so that fuel is only dispensed into authorized receptacles, such as the fuel tanks of vehicles authorized to receive fuel, is provided. This system includes an RF module mounted on a fuel-dispensing nozzle that includes a reader for reading data stored in RF tags permanently mounted adjacent to the inlet spouts of authorized receptacles. The reader only reads the data stored in RF tags when the reader's antenna is within a predetermined distance of an RF tag. The distance is such that the fuel-dispensing nozzle must either be inside of, or very close to the fuel- receiving spout of the receptacle, in order for reading to occur. The RF module stores either data derived from an RF tag or no tag data. The stored data is transmitted to a pump controller that controls the enabling/disabling of a fuel dispenser pump coupled to the fuel-dispensing nozzle. In accordance with other aspects of this invention, the data stored in the RF module is transmitted in a wireless manner to an interrogator located in a canopy that overlies the fuel dispenser. Data received by the interrogator is forwarded to the pump controller, preferably via a hard-wired connection.

As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing summary, the invention provides a system for controlling the dispensing of fuel so that fuel is only dispensed into authorized receptacles, such as the fuel tank of authorized vehicles. This result is accomplished by requiring that a fuel-dispensing nozzle be in or very near to the inlet spout of an authorized receptacle before fuel dispensing can begin. As soon as the nozzle is moved away from the authorized receptacle, fuel dispensing is disabled. Thus, the invention prevents the filling of the fuel tanks of unauthorized vehicles and/or the filling of other, e.g., hand-carried, receptacles.

Brief Description of the Drawings The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a pictorial diagram illustrating a fuel-dispensing control system formed in accordance with the invention located at unattended fuel-dispensing stations;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view of the dispensing nozzle shown in FIGURE 1 positioned adjacent to the inlet hole of a spout of a receptacle authorized to receive fuel;

FIGURE 3 is a functional flow diagram illustrating the operation of the RF module of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a functional flow diagram illustrating the operation of the interrogator of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2; and

FIGURE 5 is a functional flow diagram of the pump controller of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

FIGURE 1 illustrates a vehicle 13 positioned adjacent to a fuel dispenser 23 located beneath a canopy 33 covering a fuel-dispensing station 43. As well known to those familiar with fuel-dispensing stations, a fuel-dispensing station 43 may include several fuel-dispensing islands 53 each of which includes multiple fuel dispensers 23. The vehicle 13 includes a fuel tank (not shown) that houses gasoline or diesel fuel for operating the vehicle 13. Fuel is added to the vehicle via a fuel inlet spout 11 (shown in FIGURE 2) that may be accessed via a hinged door 12 attached to the side 14 of the vehicle 13.

Permanently attached to each vehicle 13 authorized to receive fuel, near the vehicle's fuel receiving spout 11, is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 15. An RFID tag is a tag that stores digital data, such as a vehicle identification code, limits on fueling, customer number, etc. When interrogated by a radio frequency signal of the appropriate frequency, the RF tag returns a signal that contains the stored data. The RFID tag 15 may, for example, be powered by the power included in the interrogation signal or may be powered by a battery or external power source. In any event, when interrogated, the RF tag produces a signal that includes a vehicle identification code that uniquely identifies the vehicle to which the RF tag is attached. As described more fully below, the vehicle identification code is used to determine if the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. While, preferably, a different identification code is used on each vehicle, if desired, the same code could be used on multiple vehicles to merely indicate that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel.

Mounted on the fuel-dispensing handle 19, which is connected by a hose 21 to the dispenser 23, is an antenna 25. The antenna is located near the proximal end of the nozzle 17 of the fuel-dispensing handle 19. The antenna is coupled to an RF module 29 that is also mounted on the fuel-dispensing handle 19. The RF module includes a reader that produces a low-intensity interrogating signal suitable for interrogating RFID tags 15. The intensity of the interrogating signal is such that the antenna 25 must be within a predetermined distance, X, of the RFID tag 15 in order for data stored in the RFID tag to be read. For example, in order for the reader of the RF module 29 to read (i.e., interrogator) an RFID tag 15, the antenna 25 must be within 10 cm of the RFID tag. While various reader interrogating signal frequencies can be used, an exemplary interrogating frequency is 13.56 MHz.

As will be better understood from the following description, data received from RFID tags interrogated by the reader of the RF module are temporarily stored in the RF module. When the antenna is not within a predetermined distance, e.g., 10 cm of an RFID tag 15 containing a suitable authorization code, no tag data signal is stored in the RF module. When the RF module is interrogated by an interrogator in the manner hereinafter described, the stored data is forwarded to the interrogator. Thus, in summary, if the antenna 25 is within a predetermined distance of an RFID tag 15 containing a suitable vehicle identification code, the vehicle identification code, which functions as a fueling authorization code, is transmitted by the RF module to the interrogator 31. If the antenna 25 is not within a predetermined distance of an RFID tag 15 containing a suitable vehicle identification (authorization) code, the RF module transmits a no-tag data code to the interrogator 31. The signal transmitted by the RF module 29 may also contain other information, such as a code that identifies the fuel nozzle 19 to be used to dispense fuel and, thus, the fuel dispenser 23 associated with the nozzle.

The signal transmitted by the RF module is received by an antenna 30 coupled to an interrogator 31. Preferably, the interrogator 31 is mounted on the canopy 33 that overlies the fuel-dispensing station 43. If necessary, multiple, suitably positioned antenna can be coupled to the interrogator. While various frequencies can be used, a frequency suitable for communicating between the RF module 29 and the interrogator 31 is 2.5 GHz. The interrogator 31 is connected to a pump controller 35 located in a dispensing station control room 36 that may be located beneath the canopy 33 or in a remote location, as desired. Preferably, the control room 36 also houses a computer 37 or other equipment coupled to the pump controller that is suitable for recording fuel-dispensing data and generating command signals. The pump controller 35 is coupled to a pump 36 located in the fuel dispenser 23 or other suitable location. Preferably, this connection is also a hard-wired connection. In a conventional manner, when enabled, the pump pumps fuel to the vehicle 13 when a user activates the pump handle 19 in a conventional manner. FIGURE 3 is a functional flow diagram illustrating in more detail the operation of the RF module 29. After being initiated in a suitable manner, such as by turning on a switch, applying power to the RF module, etc., the RF module first transmits a read signal. See block 51. Thereafter, the software operating the RF module makes a test to determine if a signal from an RF tag has been received. See block 53. If no tag signal has been received, no tag data is stored in memory, as shown by block 55. If tag data is received, the tag data is stored in memory, as illustrated by block 57. Thereafter, a test is made to determine if an interrogator signal has been received from the interrogator 31. See block 59. If no interrogator signal has been received, after a delay 61, the cycle repeats. If an interrogator signal has been received, the data stored in the memory of the RF module, i.e., the tag data or no tag data, is forwarded to the interrogator 31 as shown by block 63. Then the memory is cleared, as shown by block 65. Thereafter, after a delay 61, this cycle is repeated. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the clear memory feature can be eliminated if the memory employed by the RF module can be written over without first being cleared.

FIGURE 4 is a functional flow diagram illustrating the operation of the interrogator 31. After being initiated, the interrogator transmits an interrogate signal as illustrated by block 71. Thereafter, the software operating the interrogator 31 makes a test to determine if a response has been received from the RF module. If no response has been received from the RF module, after a delay (block 75), the cycle is repeated. If a response has been received from the RF module, data received from the RF module is forwarded to the pump controller as shown by block 77. Thereafter, after a delay 75, the cycle is repeated.

FIGURE 5 is a functional flow diagram illustrating the operation of the pump controller 35. After initiation, a test is made to determine if valid tag data has been received. See block 81. If valid tag data has been received, the pump is enabled. If valid tag data has not been received, the pump is disabled. Thereafter, the cycle is repeated. Although not shown, the data forwarded by the interrogator to the pump controller is also forwarded to the computer 37. Alternatively, the data could be sent to the computer 37 and the computer could enable the pump controller based on the validity of the tag data. Validity, of course, means that the RF tag data relates to a vehicle authorized to receive fuel.

As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing description, the pump 36 of the dispenser 23 is disabled by the pump controller 35 from dispensing fuel unless the antenna 25 is within a predetermined distance, e.g., 10 cm of an RFID tag 15 containing an acceptable vehicle identification (authorization) code. This prevents the fueling of unauthorized fuel receptacles, such as a five-gallon can carried by the operator of the vehicle 13 unless, of course, the five-gallon can also includes an RFID tag 15 that, when interrogated, produces a suitable identification code. In addition to storing just an identification code, the RFID tag may store other information, such as a customer identification number, limits on fuel, etc. Any such data is forwarded by the RF module and the interrogator to the pump controller 35 and/or the computer 37 (as discussed above) for accounting and other purposes.

To summarize the operation of the system, the antenna 25 attached to the nozzle 17 must be within a predetermined distance (e.g., 10 cm) of an RFID tag 15 associated with the vehicle to be fueled in order for the tag to be "read." Reading of the RFID tag, which indicates that the nozzle 17 is acceptably close to the fuel receiving spout 11, is transmitted via the RF module 29 to the interrogator 31 which, in turn, forwards the information to the pump controller 35 and/or the computer 37. In response, the pump controller enables a pump 36 located within the dispenser 23 or in some other location to allow the operator of the vehicle 13 to dispense fuel into the fuel tank of the vehicle. In essence, the RF module 29 operates like a serial port for the interrogator 31 located on the station canopy 33. The associated computer 37 records information from all of the dispensers 23 associated with a dispensing station 43. In this regard, while not forming part of this invention, the pump controller in combination with the computer monitors the amount of fuel being dispensed into the vehicle and "charges" the fuel dispensed against the vehicle owner's account. Preferably, the canopy interrogator 31 communicates with the RF modules located on multiple dispenser nozzles at once using a time division or other suitable multiplexing arrangement. Also, preferably, the interrogator 31 has a maximum range of, for example, 90 feet and can only communicate with nozzles located within this reading range. This limitation allows a large fuel-dispensing station to use multiple interrogators mounted on the canopy in positions such that they do not interfere with one another. As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing description, the invention provides a system for controlling the dispensing of fuel such that fuel is only dispensed into authorized receptacles, such as the fuel tank of authorized vehicles. The invention makes it difficult, if not impossible, for unauthorized receptacles to receive fuel. Thus, the invention is ideally suited for use at unattended fueling stations to prevent the unauthorized dispensing of fuel.

While the presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that within the scope of the appended claims the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. For example, rather than being formed by a single element, the RF module could be formed by two or more elements, one forming a reader for reading RF tags and another for transmitting data to an interrogator.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A system for controlling the dispensing of fuel so that fuel is only dispensed into authorized receptacles, said system comprising: an RF module suitable for mounting on a fuel-dispensing nozzle for producing an interrogating signal for interrogating RF tags mounted adjacent to the inlet spout of an authorized fuel-receiving receptacles, the intensity of the interrogation signal being such that RF tags can only be read when an antenna coupled to said RF module is within a predetermined distance of an RF tag; a data forwarder for forwarding data received by said RF module to a pump controller; and a pump controller for receiving data forwarded by said data forwarder, said pump controller suitable for controlling the enabling/disabling of a fuel-dispensing pump, said enabling/disabling being determined by whether said reader is reading predetermined data stored in an RF tag.

2. The system claimed in Claim 1 wherein a portion of the data forwarder is included in the RF module and wherein the data forwarder includes an interrogator for communicating in a wireless manner with the RF module, the interrogator being coupled to the pump controller.

3. The system claimed in Claim 2 wherein said antenna is suitable for mounting on a fuel-dispensing handle adjacent to a fuel-dispensing nozzle that extends outwardly from the fuel-dispensing handle.

4. A system as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the antenna must be within at least 10 cm of an RF tag before the RF module can read data stored within the RF tag.

5. A method of controlling the dispensing of fuel so that fuel is only dispensed into authorized receptacles comprising: mounting, on a fuel-dispensing nozzle, an RF module suitable for reading data stored in an RF tag mounted adjacent to an inlet spout of a receptacle authorized to receive fuel, said reader only reading tag data when the reader's antenna is within a predetermined distance of an RF tag, the distance being such that the fuel-dispensing nozzle must either be inside or very close to the fuel-receiving spout of the receptacle; transmitting data read by the RF module to a pump controller; and controlling the enablement and disablement of a fuel-dispensing pump that supplies fuel to the fuel-dispensing nozzle based on data produced by said RF module.