Patent ID: 7602671

Claim:
A detachable electronic meter for tracking, verifying, and recording one or more variables, the meter comprising: a distance measuring module for measuring a distance of an object by sending a first signal from the distance measuring module toward the object and receiving a second signal from the object; an inputting device for inputting information concerning the one or more variables via a keypad; a central processing unit (CPU) for determining the one or more variables; a display screen for displaying information concerning the one or more variables provided by the CPU; an alarm system for notifying a user of the detachable electronic meter with information regarding the one or more variables; a connecting link for connecting the detachable electronic meter to a fuel tank system; a housing adapted to be removably attachable to the fuel tank wherein the housing at least partially encloses the electronic meter; and a communication device for transmitting first data from the detachable electronic meter to one or more external fuel, fuel tank, and fuel-software dependent sources; wherein the first data is authenticated by an authentication device at the fuel-software dependent source before communication with the one or more external fuel and fuel tank dependent sources is permitted; wherein, after authentication of the first data, the one or more external fuel, fuel tank, and fuel-software dependent sources selectively transmit second data to the detachable electronic meter, the second data including automatic real-time updates regarding (i) pre-existing application programs and (ii) new application programs, where both types of application programs relate to fuel monitoring and fuel tank maintenance; and wherein the automatic real-time updates are stored either in a local storage station or a remote storage station, where both storage stations are independent of a location of the external sources.