US 5,400,253 AGranted

Automated statistical inventory reconcilation system for convenience stores and auto/truck service stations

AssigneeSouthern Power, Inc.

InventorPaul M. O'Connor

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Abstract

An automated system that constantly collects data from the tank monitor system, the fuel dispensing system and the point of sale equipment for the purpose of inventory reconciliation through statistical data analysis. The results of this data analysis is then transmitted by telephone means periodically to a central computer for further processing. This system will notify the central computer to indicate that a problem exists when any of the inventories have reached a minimum level or fail to reconcile due to unknown reasons. This system is designed to prevent loss of sales due to insufficient inventory and/or loss of inventory due to miscalibration of fuel dispensers, theft or tank leakage. This invention will interface with any equipment capable of serial communication and can be installed at existing service stations with a minimum amount of disruption to commerce.

Claims12

Dependent claims

Apparatus for statistical inventory reconciliation for use in conjunction with a plurality of liquid storage tanks, a plurality of liquid dispensing devices and a fuel dispensing computer receiving serial data input from each of said liquid dispensing devices, comprising in combination therewith:

a) Means for discriminating between the levels of liquids of different densities within each of said plurality of liquid storage tanks having an electrical output signal associated therewith;
b) Means for transferring selected data from said fuel dispensing computer via an electrical interface;
c) Computer means for analyzing data including programmable means for comparing data received with predefined parameters to determine whether sensed liquid levels can be reconciled with dispensed liquid data, said programmable means programmed to determine a tank profile based on iterative comparisons of sensed liquid levels and dispensed liquid data over the entire volume of a tank, said computer means receiving input data signal from said discriminating means, and said fuel dispensing computer;
and
d) Means for remotely accessing said computer means to provide for routine monitoring or to respond to indication from said computer that data reconciliation is not possible.

2 more elements

A method for automated statistical inventory reconciliation for liquid fuel dispensing system comprising the steps of:

a) Establishing an empirical correlation profile between actual fuel level profiles and calculated profiles for given fuel storage tanks by iteratively measuring the level of fuel in a given tank from a full tank condition to a minimum fuel condition, concurrently with monitoring the volume of fuel dispensed with said fuel dispensing devices, to establish a correlation profile between changes in the volume of fuel in the tank as calculated from said fuel levels and the volume of fuel in the tank as indicated by the difference in the full tank condition and the fuel dispensed by said fuel dispensing devices;
b) Storing data relative to said correlation profile in a computer memory;
c) Monitoring fuel levels in said fuel tanks and generating an output signal indicative thereof;
d) Monitoring fuel dispensing devices to determine dispensed quantities and generating an output signal indicative thereof;
e) Calculating a dynamic tank level from the input signals from said fuel levels;
f) Calculating a dynamic fuel dispensed value from input signals from said fuel dispensing devices;
g) Comparing said tank level and fuel dispensed value to said stored data relative to said correlation profile;
h) Initiating a telecommunication data link to a remote computer responsive to an inconsistent comparison from the comparing step;
and
i) Providing a human sensible display of the results of said comparisons.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.