US 10,329,137 B1Granted

System and method for operating a fuel dispensing apparatus

AssigneeUnited Services Automobile Association (USAA)

InventorsBharat Prasad, Charles L. Oakes, III

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Abstract

A fuel dispenser including one or more processors in a local or distributed computing system provide techniques for smart fuel dispensing that represent a marriage of vehicle telematics data, a smart fuel dispenser, and a customer device (e.g., a mobile device, tablet, computer, etc.). The techniques disclosed particularly provide a customizable fueling experience to customers and, for example, communicate fuel dispensing configuration information to/from a customer, pair vehicles to a fueling dispenser (e.g., using combinations of vehicle telematics, mobile phone data, fuel dispensing data, etc.), initiate/terminate fueling sessions, recommend fuel grades, establish customer accounts for various payment options, and look forward to potential itineraries (e.g., planned trips) to provide recommendations for vehicle maintenance, fuel grades, additives, etc.).

Claims15

Dependent claims

An apparatus comprising:

one or more network interfaces adapted to communicate in a communication network;
a memory configured to store one or more processes;
a processor adapted to execute the one or more processes, the processor when executing the one or more processes, is operable to:
receive telematics data regarding at least one vehicle from at least one of a vehicle device and a mobile device associated with the vehicle wherein the telematics data includes vehicle identification data;
determine a location of the vehicle based on at least one of the telematics data and a location of the mobile device associated with the vehicle;
determine that the location of the vehicle is within a predetermined proximity of a fuel dispenser;
determine a fuel type based on the vehicle identification data;
determine scope of fueling permission associated with the vehicle identification data;
and
initiate, by the fuel dispenser, a fueling session contingent upon the determined scope of fueling permission, the location of the vehicle, and the fuel type,
wherein the fueling session is permitted to proceed while the location is within a predetermined proximity of the fuel dispenser, and
wherein the fueling session is terminated when the location of the vehicle exceeds the predetermined proximity between the vehicle and the fuel dispenser.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/640,135Filed 6 Mar 2015 · us provisional application
Priority: 12 May 2014
Granted: 25 Jun 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification22 codes

B67D 7/348
By checking a correct coupling or coded information: by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder
B67D 7/04
Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for…: for…
B67D 7/0401
For transferring fuels, lubricants or mixed fuels and lubricants: arrangements for automatically fuelling vehicles, i.e. without human intervention
B67D 7/32
Details or accessories: arrangements of safety or warning devices; Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid