Integrated automation system for releasing services controlled by actuation valves.

Description

1 / 12 Integrated automation system for releasing services controlled by actuation valves.

[01] This patent falls within the field of hydraulic and electrical automation systems, with application in industrial and commercial installations, including fuel stations. These systems are designed to manage devices and resources in an integrated manner, promoting efficiency, safety and compliance with technical regulations, especially in environments where precise control of valves, showers and other critical equipment is essential.

[02] Hydraulic and electrical automation systems are becoming increasingly indispensable in the modernization of industrial and commercial processes. In gas stations, automation plays a crucial role in ensuring safety, operational efficiency, and compliance with environmental and occupational safety standards, such as in the control of sprinklers and automatic valve systems.

[03] Even with advances in automation, many systems still present challenges such as a lack of efficient integration between electrical devices and programming languages, making operation and monitoring limited and dependent on human activity, leading to frequent failures and high service unavailability. The lack of efficient integration also hinders compliance with regulatory requirements and needs, especially in critical environments such as gas stations.

[04] The present patent is particularly applicable in fuel stations, where automated control Petition 870240110048, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, page 5 / 34 2 / 12 of emergency sprinklers and valves is essential to meet safety standards and reduce waste. Furthermore, the system can be used in other industrial sectors, such as refineries, water treatment plants, and commercial facilities that require integrated hydraulic and electrical management.

[05] As is common practice today, gas stations offer showers for their customers to use, especially truck drivers. Many of these stations use simple control systems, such as tokens or timers, to manage water usage. However, these solutions have several limitations, such as lack of safety, easy manipulation by users, high maintenance needs due to rapid wear caused by exposure to water and humidity, and lack of integration with scoring systems, which could add value to the user experience and the management of the service by the establishment.

[06] Many gas stations still rely on systems that release water using tokens or mechanical timers, which can be easily bypassed or damaged. These systems do not offer an efficient way to monitor water usage or generate reports on shower usage, making management difficult.

[07] Some more recent solutions use electronic controllers connected to control centers that manage water release and generate reports. However, these systems still face difficulties, such as a lack of robustness to withstand humid environments and the complexity of installation in locations with existing infrastructure. Petition 870240110048, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, page 6 / 34 3 / 12 already existing. Furthermore, the integration between the devices and the management system is not fully optimized, limiting efficiency in operation and remote control.

[08] Although some technologies aim to improve shower control, such as electronic control systems and wireless communication, many still do not ideally meet all the requirements of efficiency, practicality, and cost-effectiveness for environments such as gas stations. All existing solutions are limited exclusively to enabling showers; these solutions often lack:

[09] * Greater strength and durability to withstand harsh environmental conditions.

[10] * More flexible installation, so that they can be applied in establishments with existing infrastructure.

[11] * More efficient integration, allowing remote monitoring and greater control over water consumption.

[12] * Flexibility regarding the company's business rules and technological advancement.

[13] The proposed patent aims to overcome these limitations by offering:

[14] * A more robust and resistant control system, ideal for environments with high humidity and constant exposure to water. The control clock is located right next to the shower (Figure 8), which reduces the possibility of vandalism and wear due to humidity.

[15] * Greater installation flexibility, such as Petition 870240110048, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, page 7 / 34 The 4 / 12 clock position next to the shower reduces the need for major renovations, making it suitable for gas stations with existing infrastructure.

[16] * The system's native scoring system allows customers to earn and redeem points at any time according to each company's settings.

[17] * Integration between all branches of the group, allowing the balance generated in one company to be redeemed in another.

[18] * Enhanced integration with the station's automation system, balances generated by fuel purchases can be automatically calculated for the customer.

[19] * Efficient remote control, overview of all devices in all branches and their status, it is possible to monitor all devices in use, without communication or blocked, in real time, reducing downtime and allowing analysis of infrastructure improvement as well as generating reports that allow viewing consumption from various angles.

[20] * Provision of an app for the customer to track their points balance, check where and when each point was used, and also be able to buy points for showers and / or other services.

[21] * Remote blocking of faulty devices in order to avoid embarrassment with customers.

[22] * Enhanced log of all releases performed, as well as rejected codes.

[23] * Possibility of working in local mode, in case of internet unavailability the system Petition 870240110048, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, page 8 / 34 5 / 12 provides a manager that allows you to generate codes without needing an internet connection.

[24] The proposed system presents significant improvements over current solutions, solving problems of durability, installation and integration, which guarantees more efficient and economical control of the use of showers in gas stations and similar environments.

[25] The objective of the present patent is to provide an integrated and decentralized automation system for the release of services controlled by actuation valves, applicable in fuel stations and other commercial and industrial environments.

[26] The purpose of this patent is to offer:

[27] * Advanced service control: Service release via physical switchboards, mobile devices (apps) or directly by controllers, with flexibility to meet different configurations and needs.

[28] * Integrated points system: Allows customers to accumulate and use points, promoting loyalty programs with integration between branches and features such as automatic calculation of points from fuel purchases.

[29] * Efficient and safe operation: Remote monitoring of all devices in real time, with the possibility of remote blocking, detailed logs and generation of reports for operational optimization.

[30] * Installation flexibility: Robust and durable design for operation in high humidity environments, Petition 870240110048, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, page 9 / 34 6 / 12 adapting to the existing infrastructure without the need for major renovations.

[31] * Operational continuity: Local operation to ensure operation even in cases of internet connection failure.

[32] * The patent provides a complete and innovative solution for managing services efficiently, practically and economically, meeting security requirements and promoting customer and business satisfaction.

[33] The present patent refers to an integrated and decentralized automation system for the release of services controlled by actuation valves, developed for application in fuel stations and other commercial or industrial environments that require efficient and automated control of resources.

[34] Its constituent parts are: HARDWARE, SOFTWARE and INTEGRATION.

[35] HARDWARE

[36] * Release center: Physical equipment equipped with a numeric keypad and display for entering and displaying the release code and also for displaying the number of the released device (Figures 4 and 5).

[37] * Control clock: Physical equipment equipped with a display that shows the countdown timer for completing the service release and a relay (switch) that engages and disengages to release and close the service release valve. In the self-release versions of the device, the clock also has a built-in numeric keypad for entering the release code (Figures 6 and 7). Petition 870240110048, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, page 10 / 34 7 / 12

[38] SOFTWARE

[39] * Concentrator: Desktop software compiled and certified for the Windows 10 operating system, developed using Javascript on the Node.js environment. This powerful software is responsible for all operations related to the release, validation, business rules, and management of all devices participating in the network. It receives requests from both the release center and the control clock, processes them, and responds according to the functionality of each. Through the concentrator, it is possible to check the usage and availability of all devices in real time, as well as remotely release a device and generate individual release codes. It is in the concentrator that it is possible to configure time, delay, and connection parameters with the main server. Because it is software, in case of failure of the host computer, the system is easily migrated to another available machine, which then becomes the network concentrator.This characteristic defines the system as software-based, not hardware-based like conventional systems available on the market.

[40] * Mobile application: Developed in a hybrid Node.js environment, the application was compiled and certified for Android 10, but is highly adaptable to other operating system versions. The management application (Figure 9) allows real-time viewing of the usage and availability of all devices, as well as allowing remote release of a device functioning as a central hub. Another available application is the user application, which allows monitoring the balance. Petition 870240110048, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, page 11 / 34 8 / 12 in points, check where and when each point was used, and also be able to buy points to be used on baths and / or other services.

[41] INTEGRATION

[42] * The system uses an efficient communication architecture to integrate its main components. The Control Clock connects to the Concentrator via Wi-Fi, while the Release Center uses an Ethernet connection to ensure greater stability in its operation. Both devices use the HTTP protocol for information exchange, with requests and responses in JSON format. The message format follows a predefined internal standard, known to all parts of the system, ensuring interoperability, consistency in operations, and ease of maintenance and expansion of the system.

[43] The basic system operation flow begins when at least one controller clock is started, it sends an HTTP request to the concentrator informing that it is available to receive releases, the concentrator returns a JSON response informing that no action should be performed by the clock until a code is accepted by the concentrator. In turn, the central unit waits for the user to enter a release code, when this event occurs an HTTP request is sent to the concentrator which also returns a response in JSON format to the central unit containing the processing response of the released code, if the code is valid the message “code accepted and in” will be displayed on the screen. Petition 870240110048, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, page 12 / 34 9 / 12 followed by the display of the device number to be released; at this point, the concentrator waits for the next request from the clock to allow the valve to open.

[44] The basic system operation flow is represented in figure 1 which comprises the minimum execution course required to complete the system workflow, with the Clock (hardware), Concentrator (Software) and Central (hardware) entities being mandatory (which can be replaced by a mobile application).

[45] The diagram shown in figure 2 demonstrates the network communication structure between the system components, where each is geographically located in the establishment and the type of physical medium used, where the blue lines represent a strong connection using Ethernet network cable and the wave signal represents the Wireless (Wi-Fi) connection.

[46] The technical schematic (Figure 3) implemented on the boards shares some similarities, including the use of the ESP32 processing chip, which has a dual-core processor superior to the most common processors used in the market for this type of application, as well as having integrated Wi-Fi, facilitating development, making the code lighter and reducing the need for electrical connections between components and shields external to the chip to perform wireless communication. Other similarities include keyboard connections, signaling LEDs and display. In addition, there are some peculiarities in each board, such as the use of an Ethernet Shield on the central board and the form Petition 870240110048, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, page 13 / 34 10 / 12 as each is powered electrically, which on the clock board is dual voltage 110 / 220V and the control board is powered by 12 volts direct current.

[47] The Integrated Automation System for Releasing Services Controlled by Actuating Valves has a wide range of applications in different sectors, with particular emphasis on:

[48] ​​Fuel Stations:

[49] * Automated shower control for truck drivers and users, integrating loyalty scoring systems.

[50] * Release of other services, such as vehicle refueling and washing, with centralized monitoring.

[51] Industries and Treatment Plants:

[52] * Valve and relay management in water, gas or other industrial fluid distribution systems, with remote control and decentralized operation.

[53] Commercial Facilities:

[54] * Resource control in gyms, clubs or spas, such as releasing showers, saunas and other automated equipment.

[55] Branch Networks:

[56] * Integration of services across multiple units of the same company, allowing points to be redeemed and services to be used at different locations.

[57] High Flow Infrastructures:

[58] * Use in environments such as bus stations, airports or student accommodations, ensuring efficient management of showers and other services. Petition 870240110048, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, page 14 / 34 11 / 12 essentials.

[59] Below are some examples of the use of the System, which is the subject of this patent:

[60] * Gas ​​Station: A truck driver approaches the cashier and asks the operator to check the balance of points accumulated from previous fuel purchases. He requests to redeem the points, and then the operator generates a code to unlock the shower. By entering the code into the control panel, the valve is activated by the timer, allowing a shower for a set period of time.

[61] * Gym: After training, the client, in possession of the code generated at the gym reception, goes to the bathroom and enters the code into the central system to unlock access to the shower. The system registers the usage and updates the points balance, which can be redeemed for discounts on services or future memberships.

[62] * Water Processing Industry: Operators remotely control the opening of treated water distribution valves, opening and closing them as needed for flow in different plant sectors. In case of communication failure, the system informs the operators who restore the system, putting it back into operation remotely and avoiding interruptions.

[63] * Recreational Club: Users access showers and saunas using codes entered at the establishment's physical control panel. The administration monitors equipment usage in real time and generates detailed reports to optimize water and energy consumption.

[64] * Branch Network: A customer supplies the Petition 870240110048, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, page 15 / 34 The customer visits a branch of the network on December 12th and accumulates points. Later, they can use these points at another branch to unlock showers or obtain discounts on services, with all data automatically integrated into the system.

[65] These examples illustrate the versatility and efficiency of the system, highlighting its ability to adapt to different contexts, promoting savings, security and a better user experience.

[66] This patent represents a significant advance in the field of automation systems, offering a robust, flexible and integrated solution for the release of services controlled by actuation valves. Its application in fuel stations and other industrial and commercial environments meets the demands for efficiency, safety and customization, while promoting savings and user loyalty through innovative features such as the points system.

[67] With its decentralized architecture, ability to operate in local mode and integration with branch networks, the system stands out as a complete solution, prepared to overcome the limitations of existing technologies and add value for both businesses and customers. Petition 870240110048, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, page 16 / 34

Claims

1 / 3 CLAIMS 1) INTEGRATED AUTOMATION SYSTEM FOR RELEASING SERVICES CONTROLLED BY ACTUATION VALVES, consisting of a clock (hardware), concentrator (software) and control unit (hardware), characterized by being robust and resistant, ideal for environments with high humidity and constant exposure to water, where the control clock is installed close to the service point (e.g.(shower), reducing the possibility of vandalism and wear due to humidity; the basic operating flow of the system begins when at least one control clock is started, it sends an HTTP request to the concentrator informing that it is available to receive releases, the concentrator returns a JSON response informing that no action should be performed by the clock until a code is accepted by the concentrator, in turn, the control panel waits for the user to enter a release code, when this event occurs an HTTP request is triggered to the concentrator which also returns a response in JSON format to the control panel containing the response of the processing of the released code, if the code is valid the message "code accepted" will be displayed and then the number of the device to be released will be displayed, at this moment the concentrator waits for the next request from the clock to allow the valve to open. 2) SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by its installation flexibility, adapting to existing infrastructures, such as gas stations, minimizing the need for structural reforms. Petition 870240110048, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, page 17 / 34 2 / 3 3) SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by a native scoring system that allows the customer to accumulate and redeem points according to the parameters of each company. 4) SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by integration between branches of the same group, enabling the redemption of points accumulated in any unit of the network. 5) SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by integration with the gas station's automation system, allowing balances generated by services such as fuel purchases to be automatically credited to the customer's account. 6) SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by remote monitoring, offering a real-time overview of all devices, including their status (in use, without communication or blocked), reducing downtime and facilitating the analysis of infrastructure improvements. 7) SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by providing an application for the customer, allowing monitoring of points balance, usage history, and the purchase of points for access to services. 8) SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by the ability to remotely lock faulty devices, avoiding inconvenience to users. 9) SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by a detailed log of all releases performed, including records of rejected and accepted codes, for auditing and analysis. 10) SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by the ability to operate in local mode, allowing the generation of codes and the continuous operation of the system in cases of internet unavailability. 11) SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by being automatically migrated to another available machine that becomes the network hub, in case of failure of the host computer. Petition 870240110048, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, page 19 / 34

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