Method and apparatus for data transfer

Abstract

A method for data transfer includes: detecting the initiation of a primary service function being performed on an entity in a known location; responsive to the detection, establishing a communications link ( 150 ) with the entity; managing a transfer of data via the communications link ( 150 ); and terminating the data transfer when at least one condition has been met. A device for enabling a communications link to be established with an entity while it is being refueled includes: a first communications element ( 414 ) coupled to a fueling system; and a second communications element ( 434 ) coupled to the entity, wherein a communications link ( 150 ) is established with the entity when the first and second communications elements ( 414,434 ) are operatively aligned.

1 . A method for data transfer comprising the steps of: 
 detecting the initiation of a primary service function being performed on an entity in a known location;    responsive to said detection, establishing a communications link with said entity;    managing a transfer of data via said communications link; and    terminating said data transfer when at least one condition has been met.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said condition is the completion of said primary service function.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said condition is the completion of the transfer of a predetermined amount of data.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said communications link is established via an electrical connection.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said communications link is established via a wireless Local Area Network connection.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said communications link is established via electrical field coupling.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said communications link is established via optical coupling.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of determining the identity of the entity being serviced.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of determining a first amount of data to be transferred.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising causing the transfer of said first amount of data to be completed prior to the termination of said primary service function.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein causing the transfer of said first amount of data to be completed prior to the termination of said primary service function includes causing an operator of the primary service function to continue the primary service function until the transfer of said first amount of data is completed.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of notifying the operator of the primary service function of the progress of the transfer of said first amount of data to cause said operator to continue the primary service function until the transfer of said first amount of data is completed.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said first amount of data is determined as a function of an estimation of the duration of the primary service function.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said primary service function is refueling.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said entity is a vehicle.  
     
     
         16 . A method for data transfer comprising the steps of: 
 detecting the initiation of a refueling function being performed on an entity in a known location;    determining the identity of the entity being serviced;    responsive to said detection, establishing a communications link with said identified entity;    managing a transfer of data via said communications link; and    terminating said data transfer when at least one condition has been met.    
     
     
         17 . A device for enabling a communications link to be established with an entity while it is being refueled, said device comprising: 
 a first communications element coupled to a fueling system; and    a second communications element coupled to said entity, wherein a communications link is established with said entity when said first and second communications elements are operatively aligned.    
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said first communications element is coupled to a fueling nozzle and said second communications element is coupled to a fuel receptacle.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said first communications element comprises at least one electrical lead and second communications element comprises at least one electrical surface.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said first communications element comprises at least one electrical surface and second communications element comprises at least one electrical lead.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said first and second communications elements are each an optical device.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said first and second communications elements are each a wireless device.  
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said first and second communications elements each comprise a wireless Local Area Network device.  
     
     
         24 . A system for enabling the transfer of data between an entity and at least one data repository while a primary service function is being performed on said entity, said system comprising: 
 a communications network element connected to an infrastructure comprising at least one data repository,    a data communications controller coupled to said communications network element and a primary service function system for detecting the initiation of a primary service function and managing a transfer of data between an entity and said at least one data repository;    a first communications element coupled to said data communications controller and to said primary service function system; and    a second communications element coupled to said entity and operatively aligned with said first communications element for establishing a communications link for enabling said data transfer.    
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein said data communications controller is connected to said infrastructure.  
     
     
         26 . A system for enabling the transfer of data between an entity and at least one data repository while a primary service function is being performed on said entity, said system comprising: 
 a communications network element connected to an infrastructure comprising at least one data repository,    a data communications controller coupled to said entity for detecting the initiation of a primary service function and managing a transfer of data between said entity and said at least one data repository;    a first communications element coupled to said primary service function system and said communications network element; and    a second communications element coupled to said entity and to said data communications controller and operatively aligned with said first communications element for establishing a communications link for enabling said data transfer.    
     
     
         27 . A system for enabling the transfer of data between an entity and at least one data repository while a primary service function is being performed on said entity, said system comprising: 
 a communications network element coupled to an infrastructure comprising at least one data repository,    a data communications controller coupled to said communications network element and to a primary service function system for detecting the initiation of a primary service function and managing a transfer of data between an entity and said at least one data repository; and    a wireless Local Area Network device coupled to said data communications controller for establishing a communications link for enabling said data transfer.    
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27  further comprising a first communications element coupled to said primary service function system and said data communications controller for indicating to said data communications controller that said primary service function has started.  
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28  further comprising a second communications element coupled to said entity and operatively aligned with said first communications element for providing information identifying said entity.  
     
     
         30 . A system for enabling the transfer of data between an entity and at least one data repository while a primary service function is being performed on said entity, said system comprising: 
 a communications network element coupled to an infrastructure comprising at least one data repository,    a data communications controller coupled to an entity for detecting the initiation of a primary service function and managing a transfer of data between an entity and said at least one data repository; and    a wireless Local Area Network device coupled to said communications network element for establishing a communications link for enabling said data transfer.