Claims
- 1. A communications system for communications between a vessel and a fluid management system, the vessel having a fluid entry port, the fluid management system including a fluid pump, a fluid dispenser conduit including a nozzle in fluid communication with the fluid pump, a wireless interrogator in communication with the fluid pump to control the fluid pump, the communications system comprising:
- a proximity detector configured to be supported by the vessel and configured to detect presence of the nozzle in the fluid entry port; and
- a wireless communications device configured to be supported by the vessel, coupled to but spaced apart from the proximity detector, and configured to communicate with the interrogator to identify the vessel to the interrogator, and to communicate whether the nozzle is in the fluid entry port.
- 2. A communications system in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising an identification device supported by the nozzle, wherein the proximity detector is configured to read the identification device to determine whether the nozzle is in the fluid entry port.
- 3. A communications system for communications between a vehicle and a fluid management system, the vehicle having a fluid entry port, the fluid management system including a fluid pump, a fluid dispenser conduit including a nozzle in fluid communication with the fluid pump, a wireless interrogator in communication with the fluid pump and controlling operation of the fluid pump, and an antenna coupled to the interrogator and supported proximate the fluid pump, the communications system comprising:
- a proximity detector supported by the vehicle and configured to detect presence of the nozzle in the fluid entry port; and
- a wireless communications device supported by the vehicle, electrically connected to but spaced apart from the proximity detector, the wireless communications device being configured to communicate with the interrogator to identify the vehicle to the interrogator, and to communicate whether the nozzle is in the fluid entry port.
- 4. A communications system in accordance with claim 3 and further comprising an identification device supported by the nozzle, and wherein the proximity detector comprises interrogator circuitry supported by the vehicle and configured to interact with the identification device to determine presence of the nozzle in the fluid entry port.
- 5. A communications system in accordance with claim 3 and further comprising an identification device supported by the nozzle, wherein the identification device is configured to communicate an identification code, and wherein the proximity detector is configured to interact with the identification device to determine the identification code and to determine presence of the nozzle in the fluid entry port.
- 6. A communications system in accordance with claim 5 wherein the wireless communications device is configured to communicate the identification code to the interrogator.
- 7. A communications system for communications between a vehicle of a fleet of vehicles and a fuel management system, the vehicle having a fuel entry port, the fuel management system including a fuel pump, a fuel dispenser conduit in fluid communication with the fuel pump, an RFID interrogator in communication with the fuel pump and controlling operation of the fuel pump, and an antenna coupled to the RFID interrogator and supported proximate the fuel pump, the communications system comprising:
- a fuel dispenser conduit RFID configured to be supported by the fuel dispenser conduit;
- a fuel entry port antenna configured to be supported by the vehicle proximate the fuel entry port;
- a vehicle module configured to be supported by the vehicle, coupled to the fuel entry port antenna, the vehicle module being configured to read identification information from the fuel dispenser conduit RFID, using the fuel entry port antenna; and
- a vehicle RFID configured to be supported by the vehicle and in communication with the vehicle module, the vehicle RFID being configured to communicate with the fuel pump RFID interrogator to identify the vehicle to the fuel pump interrogator, and to communicate that the fuel dispenser conduit RFID device is in proximity with the fuel entry port antenna.
- 8. A communications system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the fuel dispenser conduit RFID is a passive RFID.
- 9. A communications system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the fuel dispenser conduit RFID is configured to receive power through magnetic coupling with the fuel entry port antenna.
- 10. A communications system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the vehicle RFID is further configured to store a vehicle identification number.
- 11. A communications system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the vehicle RFID is further configured to transmit a vehicle identification number to the RFID interrogator.
- 12. A communications system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the vehicle RFID is further configured to transmit an account number associated with the vehicle.
- 13. A fleet management system in accordance with claim 7 and further comprising an odometer sensor configured to be supported by the vehicle and configured to provide a signal indicative of distance traveled by the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle RFID is configured to communicate the distance information to the fuel pump RFID interrogator.
- 14. A fleet management system for use with a vehicle of a fleet of vehicles, the vehicle having a fuel entry port, the system comprising:
- a fuel management system including a fuel pump, a flexible hose having a first end in fluid communication with the fuel pump and having a second end, a nozzle in fluid communication with the second end, an RFID interrogator in communication with the fuel pump and controlling operation of the fuel pump;
- a nozzle RFID supported by the nozzle;
- a fuel entry port antenna configured to be supported by the vehicle proximate the fuel entry port;
- a vehicle module configured to be supported by the vehicle, and coupled to the fuel entry port antenna, the vehicle module being configured to read identification information from the nozzle RFID; and
- a vehicle RFID in serial communication with the vehicle module, the vehicle RFID being configured to communicate with the fuel pump RFID interrogator to identify the vehicle to the fuel pump interrogator, and to communicate whether the nozzle RFID device is in proximity with the fuel entry port antenna.
- 15. A fleet management system in accordance with claim 14 wherein the fuel management system is configured to shut off the fuel pump if the vehicle RFID communicates to the fuel pump RFID interrogator that the nozzle RFID device is not in proximity with the fuel entry port antenna.
- 16. A fleet management system in accordance with claim 14 wherein the vehicle RFID is in digital communication with the vehicle module.
- 17. A fleet management system in accordance with claim 14 wherein the vehicle RFID is in digital, hard wired, communication with the vehicle module.
- 18. A fleet management system in accordance with claim 14 wherein the vehicle RFID is in serial communication with the vehicle module.
- 19. A fleet management system in accordance with claim 14 wherein the vehicle RFID is in serial, hard wired, communication with the vehicle module.
- 20. A fleet management system in accordance with claim 14 and further comprising an odometer sensor configured to be supported by the vehicle and configured to provide a signal indicative of distance traveled by the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle RFID is configured to communicate the distance information to the fuel pump RFID interrogator.
- 21. A communications system for communications between a vessel and a fluid management system, the vessel having a fluid entry port, the fluid management system including a fluid pump, a fluid dispenser conduit in fluid communication with the fluid pump, an RFID interrogator in communication with the fluid pump and controlling operation of the fluid pump, the communications system comprising:
- a fluid dispenser conduit RFID adapted to be supported by the fluid dispenser conduit;
- a fluid entry port antenna configured to be supported by a vessel proximate the fluid entry port;
- circuitry configured to be supported by the vessel, coupled to but spaced apart from the fluid entry port antenna, to determine if the fluid dispenser conduit RFID device is in proximity with the entry port antenna; and
- a vessel RFID configured to be coupled to the circuitry, the vessel RFID being configured to communicate with the fluid pump RFID interrogator to identify the vessel to the fluid pump interrogator, and to communicate if the fluid dispenser conduit RFID device is in proximity with the fluid entry port antenna.
- 22. A communications system in accordance with claim 21 wherein the vessel RFID is hard wired to the circuitry.
- 23. A communications system in accordance with claim 21 wherein the vessel RFID is in digital communication with the circuitry.
- 24. A communications system in accordance with claim 21 wherein the circuitry is configured to read identification information from the fluid dispenser conduit RFID.
- 25. A communications system in accordance with claim 21 wherein the circuitry is configured to read identification information from the fluid dispenser conduit RFID, and wherein the vessel RFID communicates the identification information from the fluid dispenser conduit RFID to the fluid pump RFID interrogator.
- 26. A method comprising:
- supporting a RFID from a nozzle of a fuel dispenser;
- supporting a fuel entry port antenna from a vehicle, proximate a fuel entry port of the vehicle;
- establishing a first communication link between a vehicle and a fuel delivery system using the RFID and fuel entry port antenna;
- communicating from the vehicle to the fuel management system that the first communication link is established;
- delivering fuel from the fuel delivery system to the vehicle in response to the communicating; and
- suspending the delivering in response to a break in the first communication link.
- 27. A method in accordance with claim 26 wherein establishing the first communication link requires proximity between a fuel delivery nozzle of the fuel delivery system and a fuel entry port of the vehicle.
- 28. A method in accordance with claim 26 wherein establishing the first communication link comprises establishing passive RFID communications.
- 29. A method in accordance with claim 28 and further comprising, from the vehicle, reading an identification code from the RFID.
- 30. A method in accordance with claim 29 and further comprising transmitting the identification code from the vehicle to the fuel management system with the second communication link.
- 31. A method of communication between a vehicle of a fleet of vehicles and a fuel management system, the vehicle having a fuel entry port, the fuel management system including a fuel pump, a fuel dispenser conduit in fluid communication with the fuel pump, an RFID interrogator in communication with the fuel pump and controlling operation of the fuel pump, and an antenna coupled to the RFID interrogator and supported proximate the fuel pump, the communications method comprising:
- supporting a fuel dispenser conduit RFID from the fuel dispenser conduit;
- supporting a fuel entry port antenna from the vehicle, proximate the fuel entry port;
- coupling a vehicle module to the fuel entry port antenna;
- reading identification information from the fuel dispenser conduit RFID;
- coupling a vehicle RFID to the vehicle module; and
- communicating from the vehicle RFID to the fuel pump RFID interrogator to identify the vehicle to the fuel pump interrogator, to communicate whether the fuel dispenser conduit RFID device is in proximity with the fuel entry port antenna.
- 32. A communications method in accordance with claim 31 and further comprising receiving, with the fuel dispenser conduit RFID, power through magnetic coupling with the fuel entry port antenna.
- 33. A communications method in accordance with claim 31 and further comprising storing in the vehicle RFID a vehicle identification number.
- 34. A communications method in accordance with claim 31 and further comprising transmitting, with the vehicle RFID, a vehicle identification number to the RFID interrogator.
- 35. A method in accordance with claim 31 and further comprising supporting an odometer sensor from the vehicle coupling the odometer sensor to the vehicle RFID, and communicating, from the vehicle RFID to the fuel pump RFID interrogator, information from the odometer sensor.
- 36. A communications method in accordance with claim 31 and further comprising transmitting, with the vehicle RFID, hours of use of the engine of the vehicle since the last fueling.
- 37. A fleet management method for use with a vehicle of a fleet of vehicles, the vehicle having a fuel entry port, the method comprising:
- providing a fuel management system including a fuel pump, a flexible hose having a first end in fluid communication with the fuel pump and having a second end, a nozzle in fluid communication with the second end, an RFID interrogator in communication with the fuel pump and controlling operation of the fuel pump;
- supporting a nozzle RFID from the nozzle;
- supporting a fuel entry port antenna from the vehicle proximate the fuel entry port;
- supporting a vehicle module from the vehicle, coupling the vehicle module to the fuel entry port antenna, the vehicle module being configured to read identification information from the nozzle RFID; and
- coupling in serial communication a vehicle RFID with the vehicle module, and communicating from the vehicle RFID to the fuel pump RFID interrogator to identify the vehicle to the fuel pump interrogator, and to communicate that the nozzle RFID device is in proximity with the fuel entry port antenna.
- 38. A fleet management method in accordance with claim 37 and further comprising shutting off the fuel pump if the vehicle RFID communicates to the fuel pump RFID interrogator that the nozzle RFID device is no longer in proximity with the fuel entry port antenna.
- 39. A fleet management method in accordance with claim 37 and further comprising supporting an odometer sensor from the vehicle, coupling the odometer sensor to the vehicle RFID, and communicating, from the vehicle RFID to the fuel pump RFID interrogator, information from the odometer sensor.
- 40. A communications method for communications between a vessel and a fluid management system, the vessel having a fluid entry port, the fluid management system including a fluid pump, a fluid dispenser conduit in fluid communication with the fluid pump, an RFID interrogator in communication with the fluid pump and controlling operation of the fluid pump, the communications method comprising:
- supporting a fluid dispenser conduit RFID from the fluid dispenser conduit;
- supporting a fluid entry port antenna from the vessel proximate the fluid entry port;
- supporting circuitry from the vessel and coupling the circuitry to the fluid entry port antenna;
- coupling a vessel RFID to the circuitry; and
- communicating from the vessel RFID to the fluid pump RFID interrogator to identify the vessel to the fluid pump interrogator, and to indicate whether the fluid dispenser conduit RFID device is in proximity with the fluid entry port antenna.
- 41. A communications method in accordance with claim 40 and further comprising hard wiring the vessel RFID to the circuitry.
- 42. A communications method in accordance with claim 40 and further comprising coupling the vessel RFID to the circuitry for bi-directional communications between the vessel RFID and the circuitry.
- 43. A communications method in accordance with claim 40 and further comprising reading identification information from the fluid dispenser conduit RFID from the vessel.
- 44. A communications method in accordance with claim 40 and further comprising reading, with the circuitry, identification information from the fluid dispenser conduit RFID, and communicating, from the vessel RFID to the fuel pump RFID interrogator, the identification information from the fluid dispenser conduit RFID.
- 45. A communications system for communications between a vehicle and a fluid management system, the vehicle having a fluid entry port, the fluid management system including a fluid pump, a fluid dispenser conduit including a nozzle in fluid communication with the fluid pump, an RFID interrogator in communication with the fluid pump to control operation of the fluid pump, and an antenna coupled to the RFID interrogator and supported proximate the fluid pump, the communications method comprising:
- means for determining whether the nozzle is in the fluid entry port; and
- means supported from the vehicle, and coupled to the determining means, for communicating to the fluid pump interrogator to identify the vehicle to the fluid pump interrogator, and to communicate whether the nozzle is in the fluid entry port.
- 46. A communications system in accordance with claim 45 wherein the determining means comprises an identification device configured to be supported from the nozzle.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/105,076, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,142, filed Jun. 25, 1998, and titled "Communications System and Method, Fleet Management System and Method, and Method of Impeding Theft of Fuel".
US Referenced Citations (14)
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
Roseman Engineering Ltd. Web Pages, Jun. 22, 1998. |
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
105076 |
Jun 1998 |
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