Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Article handling
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-28
2002-03-19
Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3651)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Article handling
C700S236000, C700S241000, C700S244000, C704SE21020
Reexamination Certificate
active
06360141
ABSTRACT:
The invention concerns a system for establishing automatic access to fuel pumps comprising at least one decentral control unit, said control unit comprising means which regulate the fuel pumps associated with a service station, and a central control unit and method for the filling up of a vehicle with fuel comprising the entering of a second code for the activation of a fuel pump.
In the filling-up of vehicles with fuel, the system used at present is one whereby access to the fuel pump is established by use of a card and the entering of a code, and where payment takes place via the card's account and owner. Among other things, the method and the system suffers the disadvantage that the card is continuously subject to wear, which means that this must be replaced to the inconvenience of both the user and the fuel company. Moreover, the system necessitates the installation of keypad/scanning units at each individual station in order for the cards to be scanned. In addition, the user is required to enter data at said keypad units and must then carry out the filling-up from the pump itself, which especially at larger stations results in extra consumption of the user's time. Such a system is known for example from U.S. Pat. No. 4,395,627.
From WO-9319004 there is known a system for the filling up of cars with fuel, and where the car itself comprises means of communication, for example in the form of units coupled to a pedal, or a dedicated keyboard built into the car itself, and also where the service stations are provided with the receiver unit, for example in the form of a camera and a robot for the servicing of the car. Such a system is very advanced and also extremely expensive to establish for both the car owner as well as the individual service station, in that the system demands that each individual car has a unique communication unit which can find application in relation to those units which happen to exist at the service station itself.
The system makes it possible to activate the service station from inside the car itself, and to carry out a filling-up with fuel. The system does not provide the possibility of activation before arrival at the service station itself and, as mentioned above, it is a particularly advanced and very costly system.
It is the object of the invention to provide a system which is not encumbered with the disadvantages of the known systems.
By providing a system as discussed in the introduction, and where at least one of the control units comprises means which are activated by the wireless signals transmitted from a mobile telephone, said means comprising central means for the linking together of a first unique code (B) associated with the mobile telephone with the identification number of the same telephone, and the linking together of number and/or code (B) with the data lying in the unit, and where the decentral control unit comprises decentral means for linking a code which is unique for the fuel pump and a code (C) entered via the telephone with the status associated with the pump, and which are activated by the wireless signals transmitted from a mobile telephone, said decentral control unit controlling and activating the fuel pumps chosen, a very high degree of security is achieved in the use of the system, where the user is identified with 100% security, and where the use of cards at the individual service stations is avoided, while at the same time the necessity is also avoided of having to establish keyboard/scanning units at each individual service station for receipt of the card and the maintaining of other special mechanical aids. At the same time, the production and delivery of cards is also avoided, and thus the above-mentioned problem of wear on the cards does not exist. The system is very user-friendly and time-saving for the user, in that some of the data keying-in operations can take place before the user reaches the service station.
The way in which the system works, for example, is that the user drives to the service station and selects a fuel pump at which to fill up. The user then reads the unique number from the pump and enters this number on his mobile telephone, and the pump is made available after access to the system has been established. It is possible for the user, if he is in his car on the way to the service station, to activate his user status, so that when he reaches the station it is necessary only to enter the unique data for the pump/station. Moreover, a high degree of security is achieved in the system, in that most mobile telephones have a PIN code which must be entered before access can at all be gained to the telephone. Access to the system is achieved by entering a general code which is the entry key to the central control unit, this code being the same for all users. Thereafter, the user then enters his own specific first code, which is related to the telephone's identification number, which at present is the call number. As mentioned, there is hereby achieved great security in the system, in that here a validation is effected.
The validation is effected by the system examining whether the customer is known and hereafter whether the customer is on the blocking list. If the customer is known and is not on the blocking list, he can be validated positive. The examination of whether a customer is known takes place by comparing two parameters. 1: The customer's telephone number and 2: the customer's first unique code. In that the customer rings to a Main Computer Voice Response System (MCVRS), the customer's telephone number is automatically transferred to the MCVRS. This automatic transfer of the telephone number can not be falsified. MCVRS asks the customer to enter his first unique code. The customer enters his first unique code on his mobile telephone. This entry is picked up by MCVRS via the sound tones of the mobile telephone keys. In a database in the main computer there is a table of telephone numbers with associated first unique codes and further identification of the customer (account number, name, address etc.). If the customer's telephone number and first unique code are found in the table, the customer is known. The main computer then examines whether the customer is to be found on the blocking list, which similarly lies in the main computer's database. If this is not the case, the customer is validated positive. If the customer is found on the blocking list, he is validated negative. If the customer's telephone number is not in the telephone number table, he is validated negative. If the first unique code does not match with the telephone number, the customer is validated negative. In this case the MCVRS requests that a new first unique code be entered.
Alternatively, the validation can take place decentrally at the station's computer—the decentral control unit. If this solution is selected, the main computer—the central control unit—transmits the relevant data (telephone number, first unique code) via, e.g. the telephone network or other connection to the station's computer. The database containing the telephone number table, first unique code table and blocking list will then exist on the station's computer, and it is here that the examination takes place.
The second code is a specific identification number for the selected pump, comprising an X number of digits for the identification of the station, and a Y number of digits for the identification of the pump at the station.
The first unique code thus gives rise to a double system check, in that the selected code must be correct in relation to the telephone number of the telephone before a delivery of fuel can take place. The second code controls the extent to which a pump can be used, and which control unit is placed at the selected station. After the user has finished filling up, the data—including the amount of fuel and the price—will be registered in the central control unit via the decentral control unit, and the relevant amount will thus be recorded in the customer's account.
Butler Michael E.
Ellis Christopher P.
Kilpatrick & Stockton LLP
Metax-Olie A/S
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