Fuel dispensing and vehicle maintenance system with on-board computer

A method of dispensing fuel and providing maintenance information for a motor vehicle, comprising:

• providing with the vehicle a portable memory means for storing, retrieving and updating selected data including a next service mileage;
• providing with the vehicle an on-board processing means for sensing at least one vehicle condition, and for providing a warning in the on-board processing means should the condition exceed selected bounds, providing with the on-board processing means a means for sensing current mileage of the vehicle, the on-board processing means having a receptacle means for releasably receiving the memory means and storing current miles and any warnings in the memory means;
• inserting the memory means into the receptacle means of the on-board processing means and storing in the memory means the current mileage and any warnings;
• providing at a fuel dispensing site a remote processing unit having receptacle means for releasably receiving the memory means, providing with the remote processing unit a means for reading and updating the data in the memory means, and providing with the remote processing unit an interface means for controlling a pump to dispense fuel and for the monitoring the fuel dispensed;
• removing the memory means from the receptacle means of the on-board processing means and inserting the memory means into the receptacle means of the remote processing unit, then reading with the remote processing unit from the memory means current mileage of the vehicle, an identification number, a next service mileage for the vehicle and any warnings;
• verifying with the remote processing unit that the identification number is a valid number;
• comparing with the remote processing unit the current mileage with the next service mileage and notifying the vehicle operator of service needs if the current mileage exceeds the next service mileage, and if any warnings have been entered in the memory means;
• if the identification number is valid, turning on the pump and monitoring with the remote processing unit the amount of fuel dispensed;
• and
• removing the memory means from the receptacle means of the remote processing unit and re-inserting the memory means into the receptacle means of the on-board processing unit.

A method of dispensing fuel and providing maintenance for a motor vehicle, comprising:

• providing with the vehicle a key having internal memory means for storing, retrieving and updating selected data of the vehicle;
• providing with the vehicle an on-board processing means for sensing current mileage and at least one vehicle condition, and for providing a warning in the onboard processing means should the condition exceed selected bounds, the on-board processing means having a receptacle means for releasably receiving the key and storing the current mileage and any warnings in the key;
• inserting the key into the receptacle means of the on-board processing means and storing in the memory means the current mileage and any warnings;
• providing at a fuel dispensing site a remote processing unit having recpetacle means for releasably receiving the key and for reading, comparing and undating the data in the memory means, and providing with the remote processing unit an interface means for controlling a pump to dispense fuel and for monitorting the fuel dispensed;
• removing the key from the receptacle means of the on-board processing means, and inserting the key into the remote processing unit and reading with the remote processing unit from the memory means an identification number, a current mileage, a last mileage at which fuel was dispensed, a next service mileage for the vehicle and any warnings;
• verifying with the remote processing unit that the idenfitication number is a valid number;
• comparing with the remote processing unit the next service mileage with the current mileage and notifying the vehicle operator of service needs if the current mileage exceeds the next service mileage, and if a warning has been entered in the memory means;
• and
• turning on the pump with the remote processing unit if the identification number if valid and monitoring with the remote processing unit the amount of fuel dispensed.