Method and apparatus for fuel island authorization for trucking industry using proximity sensors

Abstract

A fuel authorization program based on equipping fuel station, fuel pumps, and vehicles with components to enable automatic fuel authorization for enrolled vehicles. The program includes fuel pumps including a pump transmitting sensor that automatically emits a pump ID. As a vehicle pulls in next to the pump a vehicle coupling receiving sensor detects the pump ID signal and a proximity link is created. The vehicle sensor passes the pump ID via hardwire or Bluetooth to vehicle fuel authorization processor (which can be part of a telematics device). The vehicle processor transmits the pump ID (and any fuel authorization credentials needed, such as a PIN or VIN) via WI-FI to a Station processor for fuel vendor authorization. If approved, the pump is enabled. As the vehicle moves away the coupling sensor link is broken and the vehicle transmits a “disconnect” message via Wi-Fi and the pump is disabled.

The invention in which an exclusive right is claimed is defined by the following: 
     
         1 . A fueling station for refueling a vehicle, the fueling station comprising:
 (a) a fuel dispensing device;   (b) a sensor for detecting a vehicle approaching the fuel island; and   (c) a proximity component physically associated to the fuel dispensing device, and responsive to the sensor, the proximity component including a proximity transmitter and a controller implementing the function of using the proximity transmitter to automatically broadcast a unique pump identifier in response to a set of conditions that includes receiving a signal from the sensor indicating that a vehicle has been detected.   
     
     
         2 . The fueling station of  claim 1 , further including an RF transceiver, and a station controller that permits fueling from the fuel dispensing device when it receives an RF signal having an information set that includes the unique pump identifier. 
     
     
         3 . The fueling station of  claim 2 , wherein the station controller continues to permit fueling from the fuel dispensing device as long as the RF transceiver continues to receive an RF signal having the information set that includes the unique pump identifier, and stops permitting fueling from the fuel dispensing device when it no longer receives an RF signal that includes the unique pump identifier. 
     
     
         4 . The fueling station of  claim 2 , wherein the information set must also include a unique vehicle identifier, of a vehicle enrolled in a predetermined fuel authorization program, for fueling from the fuel dispensing device to be permitted. 
     
     
         5 . The fueling station of  claim 2 , wherein the set of conditions includes the establishment of a wireless data link between a vehicle enrolled in a predetermined fuel authorization program and the station controller. 
     
     
         6 . The fueling station of  claim 1 , wherein the proximity component further includes a receiver sensor for sensing a proximity receiver that is proximal to the proximity transmitter, and wherein a further condition of the set of conditions is the detection by the receiver sensor of a proximal proximity receiver. 
     
     
         7 . The fueling station of  claim 1 , wherein a proximity receiver must be facing the proximity transmitter, for the proximity receiver to receive the signal from the proximity transmitter. 
     
     
         8 . The fueling station of  claim 1 , wherein the proximity component is on the fuel dispensing device. 
     
     
         9 . The fueling station of  claim 1 , wherein the proximity component is near the fuel dispensing device. 
     
     
         10 . The fueling station of  claim 1 , wherein the unique pump identifier transmitted by the proximity transmitter is encrypted. 
     
     
         11 . A method for refueling a vehicle that is enrolled in a vehicle fueling program, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a fuel dispensing device;   (b) sensing a vehicle approaching the fuel dispensing device;   (c) transmitting a short range, directional signal, from a position coincident to the fuel dispensing device, the signal including a unique identifier of the fuel dispensing device;   (d) receiving a signal, at a position in the vicinity of the fuel dispensing device, having both the unique identifier of the fuel dispensing device and an identifier of a vehicle enrolled in the vehicle fueling program; and   (e) enabling the fuel dispensing device to dispense fuel.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising permitting fueling from the fuel dispensing device as long as the signal, including the unique identifier of the fuel dispensing device continues to be received. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the signal received in step (d) is an RF signal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further including the step of detecting a proximity receiver, prior to permitting the fuel dispensing device to dispense fuel. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the position coincident to the fuel dispensing device is on the fuel dispensing device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the position coincident to the fuel dispensing device is near the fuel dispensing device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the unique pump identifier transmitted by the proximity transmitter is encrypted.