Patent Description:
Currently, fuel vending apparatuses are typically provided with one or more dispensing assemblies or upright pumps, each dispensing assembly being capable of refueling a motor vehicle of a user, i.e., adapted to dispense the fuel, for example gasoline, diesel fuel, LPG or the like, into the tank of said vehicle driven by said user, for example a driver working for a transport company.

The refueling operation involves stopping the vehicle in an area provided for this purpose, proximate to a dispensing upright pump, inserting the dispenser or dispensing nozzle of the upright pump into the filler that gives access to the tank of said vehicle, and starting to dispense fuel.

However, fuel vending apparatuses, particularly for private use, of the known type are not free from drawbacks, which must include the fact that these known solutions, as mentioned typically adopted by transport companies, lead to often indiscriminate and uncontrolled vehicle refueling operations, particularly since no payment is required before or after fuel dispensing.

In fact, known fuel vending apparatuses, particularly for private use, do not track or record in any way the various refueling operations performed therewith. Anyone among the users who have access to one of these known apparatuses can perform an indefinite number of refueling operations of a vehicle without these operations being tracked or recorded in any way.

Another drawback resides in that refueling operations performed by means of fuel vending apparatuses, particularly for private use, of the known type are essentially free, i.e., they are not constrained by any prior verification of the identity and/or authorization of the driver user before said driver user accesses one of these known apparatuses and performs said refueling operations.

A further drawback of fuel vending apparatuses, particularly for private use, of the known type resides in that they do not offer to a user in charge, for example the owner or manager of a transport company, the possibility to monitor the refueling operations performed by virtue of the apparatuses and consequently monitor fuel consumption in general and the fuel consumption of a specific motor vehicle in particular.

<CIT> describes a system (<NUM>) for controlling the dispensing of fuel by a distribution apparatus, particularly for private use, which comprises one or more dispensing units (<NUM>), one or more mobile processing devices (<NUM>) operated by respective driver users (<NUM>), and a central remote processing device (<NUM>); the mobile devices (<NUM>) are in communication with the central remote device (<NUM>) by way of a telematic communications network (<NUM>); the dispensing units (<NUM>) and the mobile processing devices (<NUM>) comprise respective short-range wireless communication modules (<NUM>) that are adapted to establish a short-range wireless communication session between the dispensing units (<NUM>) and the mobile devices (<NUM>), the mobile devices (<NUM>) being adapted and configured to allow the transmission of data originating from the dispensing units (<NUM>) to the central remote processing device (<NUM>).

The aim of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the background art mentioned above, devising a system and a method for controlling the dispensing of fuel by a vending apparatus, particularly for private use, that allow to obtain effectiveness and efficiency levels in the refueling of vehicles that are greater than those obtainable with known solutions and/or similar effectiveness and efficiency levels at a lower cost.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to conceive a system and a method for controlling the dispensing of fuel by a vending apparatus, particularly for private use, that allow to track and control the quantity of fuel dispensed in each instance for the refueling of a specific vehicle driven by a specific user.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a system and a method for controlling the dispensing of fuel by a vending apparatus, particularly for private use, that allow to preliminarily verify the identity and/or the authorization of the user before said user accesses said apparatus and performs the refueling operations.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a system and a method for controlling the dispensing of fuel by a vending apparatus, particularly for private use, that allow to perform the refueling operations in a flexible manner, in particular independently of the conditions of connection to a telematic communication network.

A further object of the present invention is to conceive a system and a method for controlling the dispensing of fuel by a vending apparatus, particularly for private use, that allow to utilize adequate reporting, even in real time, which is of primary importance for the monitoring, by a user in charge, of the refueling operations performed by means of the apparatus, and consequently of fuel consumption in general and of the fuel consumption of a specific motor vehicle in particular.

Not least object of the present invention is to provide a system for controlling the dispensing of fuel by a vending apparatus that is highly reliable, relatively simple to provide and at competitive costs.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a system, as further defined in claim <NUM>, and a method, as further defined in claim <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the system for controlling the dispensing of fuel by a vending apparatus, particularly for private use, according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral <NUM>, comprises substantially at least one dispensing assembly <NUM>, at least one mobile processing device <NUM>, and a central remote processing device <NUM>. Preferably, the system <NUM> according to the invention further comprises a manager processing device <NUM>.

It should be noted that within the scope of the present invention, the dispensing assemblies <NUM> can be located even at great distances from each other, such as for example in different cities, but also in different regions or even in different states.

The dispensing assembly <NUM> and the mobile device <NUM> are mutually connected or connectable by means of a short-range wireless communication network <NUM>, preferably of the Bluetooth type, and even more preferably of the BTLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) type.

The mobile device <NUM> and the central remote device <NUM> are mutually connected or connectable by means of a telematic communication network <NUM>, for example the Internet. Likewise, the manager device <NUM> and the central remote device <NUM> are mutually connected or connectable via the telematic communication network <NUM>.

The mobile device <NUM>, such as for example a smartphone or a tablet, is operated by a driver user <NUM> of the system <NUM> according to the invention, such as for example a driver employed by a transport company, who performs the refueling of his own vehicle when necessary.

The manager device <NUM>, such as for example a desktop computer and also a smartphone or a tablet, is instead operated by a user <NUM> in charge of the system <NUM> according to the invention, such as for example the owner or the manager of a transport company, who supervises the refueling operations performed by virtue of the apparatus and monitors the fuel consumption.

With reference to <FIG>, the central remote processing device <NUM> of the system <NUM> for controlling the dispensing of fuel by a vending apparatus, according to the invention, is a system of the server type, preferably a web server, comprising an electronic control unit <NUM>, interface means <NUM>, a telematic communication module <NUM>, and remote storage means <NUM>.

The electronic control unit <NUM> is the main functional element of the central remote device <NUM>, and for this reason it is connected to and in communication with the other operational and/or functional elements comprised in the central remote device <NUM>.

The electronic control unit <NUM> of the central remote device <NUM> is provided with appropriate capabilities for calculating and interfacing with the other elements of the central remote device <NUM>, and is configured for commanding, controlling and coordinating the operation of the elements of the central remote device <NUM> with which it is connected and in communication, as well as for performing the operations of processing data or the requests originating from said elements of the central remote device <NUM> and/or from the mobile device <NUM> and/or from the manager device <NUM>, returning the corresponding results to them.

The interface means <NUM> of the central remote device <NUM> are the means by virtue of which the manager device <NUM>, operated by the user in charge <NUM>, interacts in input and/or in output with said central remote device <NUM>. In practice, the interface means <NUM> offer externally and/or collect from the outside a plurality of information items in the form of screens, in which data can be entered if necessary, that the user in charge <NUM> can in each instance select and display by means of the manager processing device <NUM>.

By way of example, the interface means <NUM> of the central remote device <NUM> offer the user in charge <NUM>, by means of the manager device <NUM>, the possibility to: create and update the information and the data stored in the remote storage means <NUM> of said central remote device <NUM> or in the local storage means <NUM> of the dispensing assemblies <NUM>, update the list of the driver users <NUM> who are registered and authorized at the dispensing assemblies <NUM>, or configure the operating parameters of the dispensing assemblies <NUM>.

The interface means <NUM> can offer the user in charge <NUM>, by means of the manager device <NUM>, the possibility to create and fill out an account or profile associated with each user in charge <NUM> or driver <NUM>. Likewise, the interface means <NUM> can offer the user in charge <NUM>, by means of the manager device <NUM>, the possibility to create and fill out an account or profile associated with each dispensing assembly <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the central remote device <NUM> further comprises a reporting module <NUM>. The reporting module <NUM> is configured to produce and supply, starting from what is stored in the remote storage means <NUM>, aggregate information and statistical data about the refueling operations as a whole and individually, preferably generating summary tables and charts of the refueling performed by the driver users <NUM>.

The reporting module <NUM> of the central remote device <NUM> allows moreover to preserve said aggregate information and statistical data, by storing them in the remote storage means <NUM>.

In this preferred embodiment, the interface means <NUM> of the central remote device <NUM> further offer the user in charge <NUM> the possibility to request and display said aggregate information and statistical data, preferably in the form of summary tables and charts, produced by the reporting module <NUM>.

The reporting module <NUM> provides detailed information, even in real time, on the refueling operations performed by means of the apparatus, and on the quantity of fuel dispensed, including for example the number of refueling operations performed by a specific driver user <NUM> or at a dispensing assembly <NUM>, or the quantity of fuel dispensed by a single dispensing assembly <NUM> or by a plurality of dispensing assemblies <NUM>, all this both in chart form and in table form.

This can occur, for example, based on a time interval, based on the city or the geographic area, based on the driver user <NUM> (for example by filtering by identification code), based on the vehicle (for example by filtering by registration plate), based on the type of fuel, or also based on the dispensing assembly <NUM>.

The telematic communication module <NUM> of the central remote device <NUM> is adapted for the preferably bidirectional connection and communication of said central remote device <NUM> with the mobile device <NUM> and with the manager device <NUM>, via the telematic communication network <NUM>.

The remote storage means <NUM> of the central remote device <NUM> are adapted to store all the information and all the data related to the system <NUM> as a whole. In particular, the remote storage means <NUM> store the latest (i.e., the most recent) version of the operating parameters of each dispensing assembly <NUM>, and the latest (i.e., the most recent) version of the list of the driver users <NUM> registered and authorized to perform refueling operations at the dispensing assemblies <NUM>.

The central remote device <NUM> is configured to send toward the mobile device <NUM>, via the telematic communication network <NUM>, the latest (i.e., the most recent) version of the operating parameters of each dispensing assembly <NUM> to which the specific driver user <NUM> who operates said mobile device <NUM> is authorized and the latest (i.e., the most recent) version of the list of the driver users <NUM> registered and authorized to perform refueling operations at the dispensing assemblies <NUM>.

Moreover, the remote storage means <NUM> store the information and the data related to all the registered and authorized driver users <NUM>, transmitted by the manager device <NUM> to the central remote processing device <NUM> via the telematic communication network <NUM>. By way of example, the remote storage means <NUM> can store, for each driver user <NUM>: identification code (DriverID), name and surname, optionally authentication code (for example PIN codes and/or iButton code), optionally enabling flag (a bit or the like which identifies whether the driver user <NUM> is enabled for refueling at the dispensing assemblies <NUM> of the system <NUM>), list of refueling operations. It should be noted that the remote storage means <NUM> do not store an identification code of the mobile device <NUM> operated by the driver user <NUM>.

The central remote device <NUM> is configured to send toward the mobile device <NUM>, via the telematic communication network <NUM>, the information and data related to the specific driver user <NUM> who operates said mobile device <NUM>, particularly the identification code (DriverID), name and surname, optionally authentication code (for example PIN code and/or iButton code) optionally enabling flag.

Moreover, the remote storage means <NUM> store the information and data related to all the refueling operations performed at all the dispensing assemblies <NUM>, transmitted by the manager devices <NUM> to the central remote processing device <NUM> via the telematic communication network <NUM>. By way of example, the remote storage means <NUM> can store, for each refueling: identification code of the dispensing assembly <NUM> where the refueling was performed, identification code of the refueling, date and time of the refueling, quantity of fuel dispensed during the refueling, identification code of the driver user <NUM> who performed the refueling, name and surname of the driver user <NUM> who performed the refueling, registration plate of the vehicle refueled in the refueling, brand and/or model of the vehicle refueled in the refueling.

The central remote device <NUM> is configured to receive from the mobile device <NUM>, via the telematic communication network <NUM>, the information and data related to the past refueling operations performed at the dispensing assembly <NUM>, if such information and data have not already been received.

Moreover, the remote storage means <NUM> can store an account or profile associated with each user in charge <NUM> or driver <NUM>. Likewise, the remote storage means <NUM> can store an account or profile associated with each dispensing assembly <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the remote storage means <NUM> can be external to the central remote processing device <NUM>; in this case, the central remote device <NUM> further comprises means for interfacing with the remote storage means <NUM>.

The manager processing device <NUM>, as mentioned for example a desktop computer but also a smartphone or a tablet, is configured to process information and data following instructions provided by the user in charge <NUM>.

The manager device <NUM> comprises a telematic communication module suitable for the preferably bidirectional connection and communication of said manager device <NUM> with the central remote device <NUM>, via the telematic communication network <NUM>.

The manager device <NUM> is configured to allow the user in charge <NUM> to interact with the interface means <NUM> of the central remote device <NUM>. By way of example, the manager device <NUM> interfaces with the central remote device <NUM>, offering the user in charge <NUM> the possibility to: create and update the information and data stored in the remote storage means <NUM> of the central remote device <NUM> or in the mobile storage means <NUM> of the mobile device <NUM> or in the local storage means <NUM> of the dispensing assemblies <NUM>, update the list of the driver users <NUM> who are registered and authorized at the dispensing assemblies <NUM>, configure the operating parameters of the dispensing assemblies <NUM>, or request and display summary tables and charts generated by the reporting module <NUM>.

The manager device <NUM> interfaces with the central remote device <NUM>, offering the user in charge <NUM> the possibility to create and fill out an account or profile associated with each user in charge <NUM> or driver <NUM>. Likewise, the manager device <NUM> interfaces with the central remote device <NUM>, offering the user in charge <NUM> the possibility to create and fill out an account or profile associated with each dispensing assembly <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the mobile processing device <NUM>, for example, as mentioned, a smartphone or a tablet, of the system <NUM> for controlling the dispensing of fuel by a vending apparatus, according to the invention, comprises an electronic control unit <NUM>, an authorization verification module <NUM>, a short-range wireless communication module <NUM>, a telematic communication module <NUM>, and mobile storage means <NUM>.

The electronic control unit <NUM> is the main functional element of the mobile device <NUM>, and for this reason it is connected to and in communication with the other operational and/or functional elements comprised in the mobile device <NUM>.

The electronic control unit <NUM> of the mobile device <NUM> is provided with appropriate capabilities for calculating and interfacing with the other elements of the mobile device <NUM>, and is configured to command, control and coordinate the operation of the elements of the mobile device <NUM> with which it is connected and in communication, as well as to perform the operations of processing the data or the requests originating from said elements of the mobile device <NUM> and/or from the dispensing assembly <NUM> and/or from the central remote device <NUM>, returning the corresponding results to them.

The short-range wireless communication module <NUM> of the mobile device <NUM>, preferably of the Bluetooth type and even more preferably of the BTLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) type, is adapted for the preferably bidirectional connection and communication of said mobile device <NUM> with the dispensing assembly <NUM>, via the short-range wireless communication network <NUM>. In particular, this short-range wireless communication is established when the mobile device <NUM> and the dispensing assembly <NUM> are mutually in range, i.e., within operating distance.

In order to establish a preferably bidirectional short-range wireless communication between them, the dispensing assembly <NUM> and the mobile device <NUM> can be configured to perform operations for pairing, i.e., the process of mutual recognition that is performed for example when two Bluetooth devices are mutually connected and consists in exchanging and verifying a unique identification code, in order to authorize the subsequent exchange of data between said devices.

In other words, once the dispensing assembly <NUM> and the mobile device <NUM>, and in particular the respective short-range wireless communication modules, are arranged at an appropriate distance (for example, in a radius of <NUM>-<NUM> meters) or placed substantially in contact, they exchange recognition information, such as for example a unique identification code which allows mutual recognition.

The telematic communication module <NUM> of the mobile device <NUM> is adapted for the preferably bidirectional connection and communication of said mobile device <NUM> with the central remote device <NUM>, via the telematic communication network <NUM>.

The mobile storage means <NUM> of the mobile device <NUM> are adapted to store a portion of the information and data stored in the remote storage means <NUM> of the central remote device <NUM>.

The mobile device <NUM> is configured to receive, or rather download, preferably following a login operation or the like, from the central remote device <NUM>, via the telematic communication network <NUM>, the latest (i.e., the most recent) version of the operating parameters of each dispensing assembly <NUM> to which the specific driver user <NUM> who operates the mobile device <NUM> is authorized and the latest (i.e., the most recent) version of the list of the driver users <NUM> who are registered and authorized to perform refueling operations at the dispensing assemblies <NUM>.

The mobile storage means <NUM> of the mobile device <NUM> store the latest (i.e., the most recent) version of the operating parameters of each dispensing assembly <NUM> to which the specific driver user <NUM> who operates the mobile device <NUM> is authorized, and the latest (i.e., the most recent) version of the list of the driver users <NUM> who are registered and authorized to perform refueling operations at the dispensing assemblies <NUM>.

In particular, the mobile storage means <NUM> store the latest (i.e., the most recent) version of the list of the driver users <NUM> who are registered and authorized to perform refueling operations at the dispensing assemblies <NUM>, so that the driver user <NUM> can obtain the authorization to use the dispensing assembly <NUM>, in order to perform the refueling of his own vehicle, even if the connection with the telematic communication network <NUM> for communication with the central remote processing device <NUM> is temporarily unavailable.

Furthermore, the mobile device <NUM> is configured to receive, or rather download, preferably following a login operation or the like, from the central remote device <NUM>, via the telematic communication network <NUM>, the information and data related to the specific driver user <NUM> who operates said mobile device <NUM>, particularly an identification code (DriverID), name and surname, optionally an authentication code (for example PIN code and/or iButton code), optionally an enabling flag.

The mobile storage means <NUM> of the mobile device <NUM> store the information and data related to the specific driver user <NUM> who operates said mobile device <NUM>, particularly an identification code (DriverID), name and surname, optionally an authentication code (for example PIN code and/or iButton code), optionally an enabling flag.

The mobile device <NUM> is configured to receive the data coming from the dispensing assembly <NUM>, via the short-range wireless communication network <NUM>, and forward them to the central remote device <NUM>, via the telematic communication network <NUM>. For example, these data are related to the past refueling operations performed at the dispensing assembly <NUM>, if such data have not already been received and forwarded.

Likewise, the mobile device <NUM> is configured to receive the data coming from the central remote device <NUM>, via the telematic communication network <NUM>, and forward them toward the dispensing assembly <NUM>, via the short-range wireless communication network <NUM>. For example, these data are related to the latest (i.e., the most recent) version of the operating parameters of the dispensing assembly <NUM>, and/or the latest (i.e., the most recent) version of the list of the driver users <NUM> who are registered and authorized to perform refueling operations at the dispensing assemblies <NUM>.

It should be noted that the mobile device <NUM> does not need to be connected necessarily to the telematic communication network <NUM> except during the reception of data arriving from the central remote device <NUM> or the transmission of data toward it, as described above. Therefore, the system <NUM> according to the invention can operate even in the absence of a connection with the telematic communication network <NUM>.

Advantageously, the mobile device <NUM> is configured to request the dispensing assembly <NUM> to send, via the short-range wireless communication network <NUM>, the version of the operating parameters currently configured in the dispensing assembly <NUM>, and to compare such version with the version of the operating parameters stored in said mobile device <NUM>.

In one embodiment, if the version of the operating parameters currently configured in the dispensing assembly <NUM> is older than the version of the operating parameters stored in the mobile device <NUM>, the latter is configured to send toward the dispensing assembly <NUM>, via the short-range wireless communication network <NUM>, the operating parameters stored in the mobile device <NUM>.

In one embodiment, if the version of the operating parameters currently configured in the dispensing assembly <NUM> is identical to the version of the operating parameters stored in the mobile device <NUM>, no exchange or synchronization of data occurs.

In one embodiment, if the version of the operating parameters currently configured in the dispensing assembly <NUM> is more recent than the version of the operating parameters stored in the mobile device <NUM>, the latter is configured to request the dispensing assembly <NUM> to send, via the short-range wireless communication network <NUM>, the operating parameters stored in the dispensing assembly <NUM>.

Advantageously, the mobile device <NUM> is configured to request the dispensing assembly <NUM> to send, via the short-range wireless communication network <NUM>, the version of the list of the driver users <NUM> currently registered and authorized at the dispensing assembly <NUM>, and to compare such version with the version of the list of the registered and authorized driver users <NUM> stored in the mobile device <NUM>.

In one embodiment, if the version of the list of the driver users <NUM> currently registered and authorized at the dispensing assembly <NUM>, is older than the version of the list of the registered and authorized driver users <NUM> stored in the mobile device <NUM>, the latter is configured to send toward the dispensing assembly <NUM>, via the short-range wireless communication network <NUM>, the list of registered and authorized driver users <NUM> stored in the mobile device <NUM>.

In one embodiment, if the version of the list of the driver users <NUM> currently registered and authorized at the dispensing assembly <NUM> is identical to the version of the list of the registered and authorized driver users <NUM> stored in the mobile device <NUM>, no exchange or synchronization of data occurs.

In one embodiment, if the version of the list of driver users <NUM> currently registered and authorized at the dispensing assembly <NUM> is more recent than the version of the list of the registered and authorized driver users <NUM> stored in the mobile device <NUM>, the latter is configured to request the dispensing assembly <NUM> to send, via the short-range wireless communication network <NUM>, the list of registered and authorized driver users <NUM> stored in the dispensing assembly <NUM>.

In one embodiment, if the version of the list of driver users <NUM> currently registered and authorized at the dispensing assembly <NUM> is more recent than the version of the list of the registered and authorized driver users <NUM> stored in the mobile device <NUM>, the latter is configured to request the dispensing assembly <NUM> to send, via the short-range wireless communication network <NUM>, the memory address in which the data of the specific driver user <NUM> who operates the mobile device <NUM> and is trying to perform a refueling operation are stored.

The dispensing assembly <NUM> can reply to such request by sending to the mobile device <NUM> two different data items: the memory address (addrX) in which the date of the driver user <NUM> are stored, or an empty address (addr0) if the specific driver user <NUM> is not included in the list of registered and authorized driver users <NUM> stored in the dispensing assembly <NUM>. For example, the driver user <NUM> can be identified by means of the respective identification code (DriverID).

If the mobile device <NUM> receives from the dispensing assembly <NUM> the memory address (addrX) wherein the data of the driver user <NUM> are stored, the mobile device <NUM> is configured to request the dispensing assembly <NUM> to send, again via the short-range wireless communication network <NUM>, the contents of the portion of memory associated with the received memory address (addrX), in order to update the list of registered and authorized driver users <NUM> stored in the mobile device <NUM>.

The authorization verification module <NUM> of the mobile device <NUM> is configured to enable the dispensing of fuel for the refueling of a motor vehicle only as consequence of the connection between the mobile device <NUM> and the dispensing assembly <NUM>, via the short-range wireless communication network <NUM>, if the specific driver user <NUM> who operates the mobile device <NUM> is included in the list of driver users <NUM> who are registered and authorized at the dispensing assembly <NUM>, which is stored in the mobile device <NUM>.

In practice, the authorization verification module <NUM> controls the presence of the driver user <NUM> in the list of the driver users <NUM> who are registered and authorized at the dispensing assembly <NUM>; fuel dispensing is enabled if the driver user <NUM> is present in the list, otherwise fuel dispensing is blocked.

Advantageously, the enabling of fuel dispensing by the authorization verification module <NUM> comprises the sending of a dispensing start command from the mobile device <NUM> toward the dispensing assembly <NUM>, via the short-range wireless communication network <NUM>.

The list of the driver users <NUM> who are registered and authorized at the dispensing assembly <NUM> can comprise, for each driver user <NUM>: an identification code (DriverID), name and surname, optionally an authentication code (for example PIN code and/or iButton code), optionally an enabling flag.

Therefore, the control performed by the authorization verification module <NUM> on the presence of the driver user <NUM> in the list of driver users <NUM> who are registered and authorized at the dispensing assembly <NUM> can be performed by identification code (DriverID) or by name and surname.

Optionally, the authorization verification module <NUM> is further configured to enable fuel dispensing for the refueling of a vehicle if the enabling flag of the specific driver user <NUM> who operates the mobile device <NUM> is set to <NUM> or the like, the driver user <NUM> being included in the list of driver users <NUM> who are registered and authorized at the dispensing assembly <NUM>, stored in the mobile device <NUM>.

Advantageously, the driver user <NUM> is enabled to use the dispensing assembly <NUM> in order to perform the refueling with fuel of his own vehicle for a finite period; this authorization is in fact limited in time and its duration corresponds to a time period that can be adjusted by the user in charge <NUM>. When the time period of the authorization reaches its end, the driver user <NUM> is no longer enabled to dispense fuel at the dispensing assembly <NUM>, unless a new enabling operation is performed.

With reference to <FIG>, the dispensing assembly <NUM> of the system <NUM> for controlling the dispensing of fuel by a vending apparatus, according to the invention, comprises an electronic control unit or controller <NUM>, dispensing means <NUM>, a short-range wireless communication module <NUM>, and local storage means <NUM>.

The electronic control unit <NUM> is the main functional element of the dispensing assembly <NUM>, and for this reason it is connected to and in communication with the other operational and/or functional elements comprised in the dispensing assembly <NUM>.

The electronic control unit <NUM> of the dispensing assembly <NUM> is provided with appropriate capabilities for calculating and interfacing with the other elements of the dispensing assembly <NUM>, and is configured to command, control and coordinate the operation of the elements of the dispensing assembly <NUM> with which it is connected and in communication, as well as to perform the operations of processing the data or the requests originating from the elements of the dispensing assembly <NUM> and/or from the mobile device <NUM>, returning the corresponding results to them.

The dispensing means <NUM> of the dispensing assembly <NUM> are adapted to draw the fuel from a tank connected to them by a duct and to dispense the fuel thus drawn inside the tank of a motor vehicle.

The dispensing means <NUM> comprise at least one pumping element or pump, and at least one dispenser or dispensing nozzle. In one embodiment, the dispensing means <NUM> comprise a pump and a dispensing nozzle for each type of fuel available: for example, a first pump and a first dispensing nozzle for gasoline, a second pump and a second dispensing nozzle for diesel fuel, and so forth.

The short-range wireless communication module <NUM> of the dispensing assembly <NUM>, preferably of the Bluetooth type and even more preferably of the BTLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) type, is adapted for the preferably bidirectional connection and communication of the dispensing assembly <NUM> with the mobile device <NUM>, via the short-range wireless communication network <NUM>. In particular, this short-range wireless communication is established when the dispensing assembly <NUM> and the mobile device <NUM> are mutually in range, i.e., within operating distance.

In the preferred embodiment of the system <NUM> according to the invention, in which the short-range wireless communication module <NUM> of the dispensing assembly <NUM> is of the Bluetooth type, the Bluetooth module <NUM> can integrate a microcontroller adapted to manage the Bluetooth communication with the mobile device <NUM>, according to the corresponding protocols, an adapted to manage the radio transmission by means of an antenna provided directly on the printed circuit.

The local storage means <NUM> of the dispensing assembly <NUM> are adapted to store a portion of the information and data stored in the remote storage means <NUM> of the central remote device <NUM>.

The local storage means <NUM> are adapted to store the information and the data related to the dispensing assembly <NUM> and therefore related to all the refueling operations performed thereat. By way of example, the local storage means <NUM> can store, for each refueling: identification code of the refueling, date and time of the refueling, quantity of fuel dispensed during the refueling, identification code of the driver user <NUM> who performed the refueling, name and surname of the driver user <NUM> who performed the refueling, registration plate of the motor vehicle refueled in the refueling, brand and/or model of the motor vehicle refueled in the refueling.

These data stored in the local storage means <NUM>, or a selection thereof, are transmitted by the dispensing assembly <NUM> toward the mobile device <NUM>, which then forwards them toward the central remote device <NUM>, as explained previously.

The local storage means <NUM> store the latest (i.e., the most recent) version of the operating parameters of the dispensing assembly <NUM> and the latest (i.e., the most recent) version of the list of the driver users <NUM> who are registered and authorized to perform refueling operations at the dispensing assemblies <NUM>.

These data stored in the local storage means <NUM>, or a selection thereof, are transmitted by the central remote device <NUM> toward the mobile device <NUM>, which then forwards them toward the dispensing assembly <NUM>, as explained previously.

In one embodiment, the dispensing assembly <NUM> further comprises authentication means configured for the entry of an authentication code by the driver user <NUM>, and to verify the presence of the driver user <NUM> associated with the authentication code in the list of driver users <NUM> who are registered and authorized to use the dispensing assembly <NUM> in order to perform refueling with fuel.

In this embodiment, the dispensing assembly <NUM> is configured so as to enable the dispensing of fuel for the refueling of a vehicle only and exclusively following the positive outcome of the authentication of the driver user <NUM> via the authentication means, i.e., if the user who has entered his own authentication code is included in the list of the driver users <NUM> who are registered and authorized at the dispensing assembly <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the authentication means comprise a numeric keypad and the authentication code is a PIN (acronym of Personal Identification Number) code.

In one embodiment, the authentication means comprise a reader of iButton devices and the authentication code is an iButton code. In this embodiment, the driver user <NUM> has an iButton device in which the iButton code is registered.

In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects. In particular, it has been shown that the system and method for managing the dispensing of fuel by a vending apparatus, particularly for private use, thus conceived allow to overcome the qualitative limitations of the background art, since they allow to obtain greater effectiveness and efficiency levels in the refueling of motor vehicles than those obtainable with known solutions and/or similar effectiveness and efficiency levels at a lower cost.

An advantage of the system and method for controlling the dispensing of fuel by a vending apparatus, according to the present invention, consists in that they allow to track and control remotely the quantity of fuel dispensed in each instance for the refueling of a specific motor vehicle driven by a specific user.

Another advantage of the system and method for controlling the dispensing of fuel by a vending apparatus, according to the present invention, consists in that they allow to verify preliminarily the identity and/or the authorization of the driver user before the driver user accesses the apparatus and performs the refueling operations.

Another advantage of the system and method for controlling the dispensing of fuel by a vending apparatus, according to the present invention, consists in that they allow to perform the refueling operations in a flexible manner, particularly independently of the conditions of connection to a telematic communication network.

Moreover, an advantage of the system and method for controlling the dispensing of fuel by a vending apparatus, according to the present invention, resides in that they allow to use adequate reporting, even in real time, which is of primary importance for the monitoring, by a user in charge, of the refueling operations performed by virtue of the apparatus, and consequently of fuel consumption in general, and of the fuel consumption of a specific motor vehicle in particular.

Although the system and method for controlling the dispensing of fuel by a vending apparatus according to the invention has been conceived particularly for private use, for example for refueling motor vehicles used by companies operating in the field of freight transport and logistics, or in the delivery sector, it may however be used, more generally, in the field of any fuel vending apparatus used for the refueling of any motor vehicle.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims ; by way of non-limiting example, the person skilled in the art understands without any effort that it is also possible to provide a mechanical or electromechanical device that can be actuated by a user to stop the dispensing of the fuel in case of emergency. All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

To conclude, the scope of the protection of the claims must not be limited by the illustrations or by the preferred embodiments illustrated in the description as examples, but rather the claims must comprise all the characteristics of patentable novelty that reside in the present invention.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) for controlling the dispensing of fuel comprising at least one dispensing assembly (<NUM>), at least one mobile processing device (<NUM>) operated by a respective driver user (<NUM>), and a central remote processing device (<NUM>), said at least one dispensing assembly (<NUM>) and said at least one mobile processing device (<NUM>) being mutually connectable by means of a short-range wireless communication network (<NUM>), said at least one mobile processing device (<NUM>) and said central remote device (<NUM>) being mutually connectable by means of a telematic communication network (<NUM>), characterized in that said at least one mobile processing device (<NUM>) comprises:
- mobile storage means (<NUM>) configured to store a list of driver users (<NUM>) who are registered and authorized at said at least one dispensing assembly (<NUM>); and
- an authorization verification module (<NUM>) configured to enable the dispensing of fuel as a consequence of the connection between said at least one mobile processing device (<NUM>) and said at least one
dispensing assembly (<NUM>), by virtue of respective short-range wireless communication modules (<NUM>, <NUM>), if said driver user (<NUM>) is included in said list of driver users (<NUM>) registered and authorized at said dispensing assembly (<NUM>)
wherein said enabling of the dispensing of fuel performed by said authorization verification module (<NUM>) comprises the sending of a dispensing start command from said at least one mobile processing device (<NUM>) toward said at least one dispensing assembly (<NUM>) via said short-range wireless communication network (<NUM>).