초록 ▼

A central system controller located at a remote service facility performs the centralized processing of the various refueling transaction requests originating from a network of service station sites. The transaction request is transmitted by the customer from a vehicle RF transceiver to a dispenser-

A central system controller located at a remote service facility performs the centralized processing of the various refueling transaction requests originating from a network of service station sites. The transaction request is transmitted by the customer from a vehicle RF transceiver to a dispenser-equipped RF transceiver where it is routed through an on-site dedicated controller to the central system controller over a long-haul communications link. The central system controller processes the transaction and directs the dedicated controller to render operative control of the fuel dispenser and an associated hydraulic arm assembly that selectively maneuvers the nozzle assembly into fueling engagement with the vehicle in an automated fashion. The central system controller is connected to other commercial retailers such as online merchants to permit the customer to request additional transactions unrelated to the refueling activity. Video linkage between the system controller and other commercial retailers is also possible.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system for delivering fuel to a vehicle having a fuel inlet positioned for refueling at a service station site, said system comprising:a fuel dispensing system including a nozzle assembly, said fuel dispensing system being operative to selectively dispense fuel; an actuator assembly operatively

1. A system for delivering fuel to a vehicle having a fuel inlet positioned for refueling at a service station site, said system comprising:a fuel dispensing system including a nozzle assembly, said fuel dispensing system being operative to selectively dispense fuel; an actuator assembly operatively associated with said fuel dispensing system, said actuator assembly being operative in response to suitable control commands applied thereto to selectively cause said nozzle assembly to be placed into mating fueling engagement with a fuel inlet of the vehicle, and said actuator assembly being operative in response to suitable control commands applied thereto to selectively cause said nozzle assembly to become disengaged from the fuel inlet of the vehicle; means for operatively providing information including, at least in part, transaction signals relating to a refueling request associated with said vehicle; a controller operatively connected to said actuator assembly, operatively connected to said fuel dispensing system, and operatively connected to said information providing means, said controller being operative to control the operation of said actuator assembly, said controller being operative to control the dispensing of fuel by said fuel dispensing system, and said controller being operative to transmit the information provided by said information providing means; remote system control means, disposed remote from said service station site and operatively connected to said controller, for processing the information transmitted by said controller, generating control information based upon the processed refueling request information, said generated control information being representative of control action to be taken by said controller with respect to a refueling operation for the vehicle, and transmitting the generated control information to said controller, a first communications device integral with said vehicle and having at least one of a transmit capability and a receive capability; said information providing means further including: a second communications device operatively connected to said controller and having at least one of a transmit capability and a receive capability, said second communications device being disposed at said service station site in a manner sufficient to enable operative communications with said first communications device while said vehicle is disposed in refueling relationship relative to said fuel dispensing system; said operative communications between said first communications device and said second communications device including said transaction signals relating to the refueling request, each one of said first communications device and said second communications device further comprises a respective wireless communications assembly; said actuator assembly further including a robotics assembly, a vision system operatively connected to said controller, said vision system being arranged to provide video signals representative of the positional relationship of said actuator assembly relative to said vehicle and relative to said nozzle assembly; a communications link arranged to provide a communications pathway between said controller and said remote system control means, and a communications network operatively connected to said remote system control means, said communications network being arranged to provide communications access to at least one merchant to enable the execution of a transaction therewith by said remote system control means in accordance with an associated transaction request operatively received from said controller.