Fuel distribution network

A fuel network user interface module (FNUIM), comprising:

• a processor;
• a user interface;
• a memory;
• and
• software instructions stored in memory, which when executed by the processor, perform a method, the method comprising:
• generating a fuel reservation request (FRR), wherein the FRR specifies a vehicle;
• sending the FRR to a backend service provider (BSP);
• receiving a list of fuel stations from the BSP;
• displaying the list of fuel stations on the user interface;
• generating a selection request specifying a fuel station from the list of fuel stations and a fuel reservation amount specifying an amount of fuel;
• sending the selection request to the BSP;
• and
• receiving, from the BSP, a confirmation message comprising a reservation expiration time.

A fuel station comprising:

• a fuel storage unit configured to store fuel;
• a fuel output connection operatively connected to the fuel storage unit and configured to interface with a vehicle to enable transfer of the fuel from the fuel storage unit to the vehicle;
• a fuel station control module comprising:
• a processor;
• a memory;
• and
• software instructions stored in memory, which when executed by the processor, perform a method, the method comprising:
• receiving a backend service provider (BSP) reservation request,
• wherein the BSP reservation request comprises a user ID, a fuel reservation amount specifying an amount of fuel and a reservation expiration time,
• wherein the amount of fuel is reserved for a user associated with the user ID at the fuel station until expiration of the reservation expiration time;
• storing, in response to the BSP reservation request, a fuel reservation record comprising the user ID, the fuel reservation amount, and the reservation expiration time;
• prior to expiration of the reservation expiration time:
• receiving a request to access the fuel station from the user associated with the user ID;
• authenticating the user;
• obtaining, after successful authentication, the fuel reservation record using the user ID;
• granting access to the fuel output connection;
• and
• enabling the user to transfer up to the amount of fuel specified in the fuel reservation amount to the vehicle using the fuel output connection.