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US 5,072,380 AGranted
Automatic vehicle recognition and customer billing system
AssigneeExxon Research & Engineering Co.
InventorsRobert E. Randelman, Ronald R. Chance
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is a system and method for identifying a vehicle in a prescribed area of a service station and associating services with the vehicle. Each vehicle includes a transponder. Communication between the transponder and the service stations is via radio frequency signals.
Claims18
A system for automatically recognizing and servicing a vehicle at a service station and billing the vehicle owner comprising:
- a) means for determining whether an approaching vehicle is stopping for service electronically,
- b) means for identifying said vehicle electronically with radio frequency signals as it enters a service area in order to associate it with records in file, database, or other computer storage device,
- c) electronic means for informing the operator of said vehicle of promotional, diagnostic, or vehicle service information,
- d) means for preventing any other electronic identification from other nearby service areas,
- means for providing services to said vehicle,
- f) means for determining whether services are authorized for said vehicle by reidentifying said vehicle electronically so as to verify that it is the same vehicle identified earlier.
- g) means for informing the operator of said vehicle of the costs incurred of said vehicle.
- h) means for transferring data representing the costs or types of said services provided to said records in said file,
- i) means for assembling all costs for services, or types of service information in said record for a given billing period and invoicing said costs to said vehicle owner.
6 more elements
A method for automatically recognizing and servicing a vehicle at a service station and billing the vehicle owner comprising:
- a) determining whether an approaching vehicle is stopping for service electronically,
- b) identifying said vehicle electronically as it enters a service area in order to associate it with records in a file, database, or other computer storage devices,
- c) informing the operator of said vehicle of promotional, diagnostic, or vehicle service information.
- d) preventing any other electronic identification from other nearby service areas,
- e) providing services to said vehicle,
- f) determining if the customer has an account or is authorized to purchase,
- g) informing the operator of said vehicle of the costs incurred of said vehicle,
- h) transferring data representing the costs or types of said services provided to said records in said file,
- i) assembling all costs for services, or types of service information in said record for given billing period and invoicing said costs to said vehicle owner.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.