Patent Abstract:
A fuel dispensing installation employs multiple fuel islands with fuel dispensers and multiple fuel/travel lanes. The installation employs a communication/controller system for automatically identifying a vehicle, and upon authorizing the vehicle, allowing fuel to be dispensed to said vehicle, determining the quantity of fuel dispensed to the vehicle and securing the dispenser when the vehicle leaves a detection zone. The detection system employs RFID tags placed at both the driver side and the passenger side of the vehicle. Generally oppositely oriented antennas define a detection zone for each of the lanes. A light indicates whether the vehicle is authorized for receiving fuel.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/000,289 filed on May 19, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure relates generally to installations and methods for detecting vehicles using RFID tags. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems which employ automatic detection of vehicles to control the dispensing of fuel. 
     SUMMARY 
     A method for validating authorization of a vehicle having a driver side and a passenger side comprises encoding a first RFID tag with data concerning the vehicle ID and a driver side indicator and encoding a second RFID tag with data concerning the vehicle ID and a passenger side indicator. The method further comprises mounting the first RFID tag to the driver side of the vehicle and mounting the second RFID tag to the passenger side of the vehicle. The method further comprises generating a passenger side detection zone in a first lane and generating a driver side detection zone in a second lane and positioning the vehicle in a driver side or a passenger side detection zone for a pre-established time interval. The method comprises reading data from an RFID tag of the vehicle and processing the data to determine whether or not the vehicle is authorized. 
     A signal is generated to allow fuel to be dispensed from a fuel dispenser. A termination signal is generated to terminate the dispensing of fuel when a pre-determined fuel quantity has been dispensed. A control signal secures the fuel dispenser when the vehicle leaves a detection zone. The amount of dispensed fuel is automatically recorded. A light is generated which indicates that the vehicle is within a detection zone. A distinctive authorized light signal is generated to indicate that the vehicle is authorized for fuel dispensing. 
     In one embodiment, the dispensing of fuel to the authorized vehicle is automatically terminated by a maximum authorized fuel amount for the vehicle being exceeded, the expiration of or a pre-established time interval after the fueling has stopped or expiration of a pre-established time interval after a loss of detection of the authorized RFID tag. The method may also comprise encoding data comprising a vehicle fuel type, a customer code and a site code for the vehicle. 
     A method for automatically validating authorization for receiving fuel at a multi-lane fuel dispensing installation of a vehicle having a driver side RFID tag and a passenger side RFID tag comprises positioning the vehicle in the driver lane adjacent a fuel island having a fuel dispenser. The method further comprises generating a detection zone which intersects only a driver RFID tag or a passenger side RFID tag and reading data from the RFID tag in the detection zone. The method further comprises processing the data to determine whether or not the vehicle is authorized. 
     The authorization method may also further comprise generating a signal to allow fuel to be dispensed from a fuel dispenser, generating a signal to determine the amount of fuel to be dispensed and the identity of the vehicle and generating a control signal to secure the fuel dispenser when the vehicle leaves the detection zone. 
     An automatic fuel dispensing installation for a plurality of vehicles in one embodiment comprises a first and a second fuel dispensing island. An intermediate travel lane is disposed between the first and the second islands and a first travel lane is disposed adjacent the first island and a second travel lane adjacent the second island. At least one fuel dispenser is located on each of the first and the second islands. A pair of generally oppositely oriented antennae generates a first detection zone in said first travel lane and generates a second zone in said intermediate zone. A communication/controller module communicates with the antennae and a said dispenser wherein if a vehicle RFID is detected in the first zone or the second zone and remains a pre-established time, a said fuel dispenser is accessed to supply fuel to the vehicle. The communication/controller module automatically determines the quantity of supplied fuel, terminates fuel dispensing to the vehicle under certain conditions and secures the dispenser when the vehicle RFID tag exits the detection zone. 
     A light indicates that a vehicle is within a detection zone. A post, which vertically extends from the first island, mounts the antennae. The automatic fuel dispensing installation also comprises a light which emits a distinctive light signal which indicates that a vehicle is authorized for fuel dispensing. 
     In one embodiment, a third fuel dispensing island is disposed adjacent the second travel lane. The third island has one fuel dispenser and a pair of generally oppositely oriented antennae generating a third detection zone in the second travel lane. A third travel lane is disposed adjacent the third island, and one of the antennae generates a detection zone in the third travel lane. 
     The communication/controller module further automatically terminates the dispensing of fuel to an authorized vehicle if a maximum fuel amount for the vehicle is exceeded or a pre-established time is exceeded after the fueling is stopped or a pre-established time of loss of detection of the authorized RFID tag is exceeded. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an annotated overhead schematic view of a multiple fuel dispensing station together with multiple representative vehicles in various positions illustrating an RFID tag detection system in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged first portion of the dispensing station and vehicles of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged second portion of the dispensing station and vehicles of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged third portion of the dispensing station and vehicles of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged fourth portion of the dispensing station and vehicles of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram for the RFID tag vehicle detection system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to the drawings, a vehicle detection system using RFID tags is employed to identify vehicles and to validate authorization for the vehicle within the context of a fuel dispensing station. The system also provides a very user-friendly interface between the vehicle driver and the fuel dispensing station. The vehicles are automatically identified at a low cost per vehicle, and the RFID tags on the vehicles are reliably validated with a high degree of integrity. The system is operable to alert the driver that the tag is in a read zone of the dispensing station. 
     Once the vehicle is validated as being authorized to receive fuel, the fuel dispenser is automatically controlled and the dispensed fuel is automatically measured. Once the fueling is completed, the dispenser is secured. When the vehicle exits the validation zone, the dispenser is also secured. The system is also configured to disregard an otherwise valid tag which passes through an invalid read zone. 
     A key feature of the detection system is that each vehicle is equipped with two low-profile RFID tags which are permanently mounted to the vehicle. One tag is mounted to the driver side of the vehicle. A second tag is mounted to the passenger side of the vehicle. For purposes of describing the invention which has applicability to any vehicle, the disclosure is described with reference to trucks. The preferred application is in connection with a fuel dispensing facility for a fleet of trucks. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a representative dispensing facility  20  has five dispensing islands designated A, B, C, D and E. Fuel lanes T 1 -T 4  are defined between the respective islands A-E and a representative passing lane is defined adjacent dispensing island E. For purposes of illustration of the detection system, representative vehicles designated as trucks  1 - 4  are positioned at various positions with respect to the fuel lanes and the dispensing islands. 
     Each of the trucks includes a unique RFID tag  10  on the driver side of the truck and a unique RFID tag  12  mounted at the passenger side of the truck. Each of the RFID tags  10  and  12  contain at least the following information:
         Vehicle ID (VIN) number   Passenger or driver side code designating which side of the vehicle the RFID tag is positioned   Vehicle fuel type   Customer code   Site code for the vehicle       

     For the illustrated embodiment, island A has a fuel dispenser  21  with a hose and nozzle  31 . Island B has a pair of back-to-back fuel dispensers  22  and  23  with corresponding hoses and nozzles  32  and  33 . Fuel island C has a pair of back-to-back fuel dispensers  24  and  25  with corresponding hoses and nozzles  34  and  35 . Fuel island D has a pair of back-to-back fuel dispensers  26  and  27  with corresponding hoses and nozzles  36  and  37 . Fuel island E has a single fuel dispenser  28  with a corresponding hose and nozzle  38 . The fuel dispensers  21 - 28  preferably generally align transversely across the fuel dispensing station  20 . Naturally, there may be additional fuel islands, fuel dispensers and corresponding hoses and nozzles. 
     With additional reference to  FIG. 2 , a pole  40  is mounted on fuel island B. The pole  40  mounts a pair of high-gain directional RF antennae  42  and  44  mounted generally opposite each other at an angle to an adjacent travel lane with one facing the driver side fueling lane (Fuel Lane  1 ) and the second side facing the passenger side fueling lane (Fuel Lane  2 ). The pole  40  also mounts a cabinet  46  housing a communication and control module  50  ( FIG. 6 ). The side of a cabinet  46  for the module mounts a pair of status lights  47  and  49  at opposed sides, one facing the driver side and the other facing the passenger side, as indicated. The status lights preferably employ LEDs. In some embodiments (not illustrated), the status lights  47  and  49  are suspended at the underside of the cabinet  46 . 
     Each antenna  42  and  44  has a detection sector generally designated by the broken lines. The first heavy broken line indicates the detection sector boundary for driver side antenna  42  which detects an RFID tag within the sector or effective or valid detection zone Z D  for reading purposes, i.e., is within the effective power range. Likewise, the passenger side antenna  44  has a generally similar valid detection sector indicated by heavy broken lines and designated as zone Z P  ( FIG. 3 ). The extended or invalid RF ranges, which are below the power threshold for detection, reading and authorization, are designated as Z DI  and Z PI . 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , island D also mounts a pole  40  with a cabinet  46  having a control module  50 . The cabinet  46  mounts a pair of status lights  47  and  49 . The cabinet  46  is mounted to the pole below a pair of high-gain directional RF antennae  42  and  44  disposed at angles which intersect the typical driver side and passenger side of a vehicle properly positioned at the adjacent fuel lanes  3  and  4 . The RF antennae define effective or valid driver and passenger zones Z′ D  and Z′ P , respectively, and extended or invalid driver and passenger zones Z′ DI  and Z′ PI , respectively. It will be appreciated that the extended detection zone Z PI  for the B passenger side antenna, and the D driver side extended detection zone Z DI  antenna intersect. However, the effective detection zones Z D  and Z P  for the respective antennas do not intersect. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , each communication and control module  50  has a power control  52  and dual channel RFID tag decoder  54  that continuously energizes and reads RFID tags that enter the scanned zone. The tag reader provides decoded data and signal strength for both the passenger side antenna  44  and the driver side antenna  42 . The data and signal strength are continuously monitored as long as the RFID tags are within the effective valid read zone (e.g., Z D , Z P , Z′ D , Z′ P ). Multiple tags can be read simultaneously. The data, signal strength and side identifier, which indicates whether the signal is read by the passenger or driver side antenna for each tag, is detected and sent to the communication and control module  50  for further processing. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2, 3 and 6 , the communication and control module  50  receives signals from the RFID tag reader, stores and processes data from the tags that are of sufficient signal strength and are present for a minimum specified time. Status lights  47  and  49  are mounted exteriorly on the communication control cabinet adjacent each lane and are illuminated as an indicator that the vehicle tag is detected. When the valid conditions are met, the data is stored and forwarded to a host computer  60  for validation that fuel may be dispensed to the vehicle. Accordingly, a controller  56  will generate a signal to unlock the appropriate dispenser and measure the dispensed fuel. When the vehicle with the RFID tag exits the detector zone, a security control signal is transmitted to automatically lock via the fuel dispenser. The quantity of dispensed fuel is recorded in the controller. 
     It will be appreciated that the antennae  42  and  44  are oriented to align with the RFID tag on the vehicle upon proper positioning of the vehicle to receive fuel. In one preferred embodiment, the passenger tags  12  are mounted to the passenger side, the driver&#39;s tags  10  are mounted to the driver side and both are mounted typically above the door. When a vehicle with an RFID tag is parked next to a dispenser for more than five seconds, the status light  47  or  49  closest to the tag will illuminate. This will indicate that a valid tag is detected and the signal meets or exceeds the power threshold requirements. 
     The operation of the detection system can best be appreciated by reference to the trucks T 1 -T 4  and their position within the various fuel lanes,  1 - 4  and the passing lane as indicated in  FIG. 1 . For example, when truck T 1  with an RFID tag enters fuel lane  1  and stops at a typical fueling location, the status light  47  will slowly blink, indicating that the RF scanner is operational. After five seconds of validation detection, the status light blinks rapidly, indicating that the RFID tag  10  has been read, is on the correct side, and meets the signal strength requirements for the system. At that time, the vehicle data is read from the RFID tag  10 , transmitted to the communication and control module  50  and is sent to the host computer  60  for authorization to proceed with the fueling process. 
     In the event that the vehicle is authorized, the status light  47  will change from a rapid blink to a steady, continuous illumination. If there is no authorization, the status light will turn off until the vehicle is removed. Approximately fifteen seconds after the vehicle is removed, the status light will again blink slowly. 
     In the event that a vehicle is authorized to receive dispensed fuel, the control module activates the fuel dispenser  21  or  22 . The control module  50  preferably determines the amount of fuel dispensed via counting the pulses received from the dispenser. 
     The dispensing of fuel to the authorized vehicle may be terminated by one of three possible events:
         1. Maximum authorized fuel amount for the vehicle is exceeded;   2. Pre-established time is exceeded after the fueling has stopped; and   3. Five second loss of detection of the authorized RFID tag.       

     When the vehicle exits the fueling area, a message is sent to the host computer with the vehicle ID, the amount of fuel dispensed, the elapsed time of the event and the departure of the vehicle from the fuel lane. 
     In order to illustrate the operation of the vehicle detection system, reference is made to certain portions of  FIG. 1  which have been designated as Portion I ( FIG. 2 ), Portion II ( FIG. 3 ) Portion III ( FIG. 4 ) and Portion IV ( FIG. 5 ), respectively. 
     With reference to Portion I ( FIG. 2 ), it will be appreciated that the passenger side RFID tag can only be read by the passenger side antenna  42 . 
     With respect to Portion II ( FIG. 3 ), the driver side RFID tags  10  can only be read by the driver side antenna  44 . 
     With respect to Portion III ( FIG. 4 ), the signal strength of the RFID tags must exceed a threshold level. They can only be achieved by having a close proximity between the RFID tag and the reading antenna, which is typically 5 feet to 10 feet, as indicated by the zones. For example, a valid driver side RFID tag  10  in fuel lane  3  (zone Z′ D ) is read by antenna  42  at island D. The invalid driver side RFID tag  10  in lane  2  is too distant from the fuel lane  3  antenna to have the required signal strength. Thus, the driver side RFID tag  10  in fuel lane  2  will be rejected. 
     With reference to Portion IV ( FIG. 5 ), the RFID tag on a parked truck T 4  in the passing lane will fail the signal test. The passing truck in any of the lanes will be disregarded since it will not meet the required stationary time of five seconds or greater in order to start the processing in the communication and control module  50 . 
     While preferred embodiments of the foregoing detection system and fuel dispensing installation have been set forth for purposes of illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various adaptations, alternatives and embodiments may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6