Data analysis for smart vehicle fuel supply

Abstract

To provide a method and a system for managing information on fuel supply stations.SOLUTION: Systems include an imaging system and a profile management system. The imaging system is used on a vehicle to generate imaging data relative to a fuel supply station. The profile management system receives the imaging data. The profile management system identifies selected information relative to the fuel supply station on the basis of the received imaging data. The selected information includes at least one of identification information of the fuel supply station, pricing information, and fuel inventory information or business time information relative to the fuel supply station. The profile management system updates a profile relative to the fuel supply station on the basis of the selected information. The profile management system transmits at least a part of the profile relative to the fuel supply station to an object system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to managing information about fuel filling stations, and more particularly, to a method and system for remote monitoring of information for fuel filling stations in substantially real-time using imaging data provided by vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, different types of navigation systems are used to identify information about fueling stations. For example, a user can use an in-car navigation system or a navigation application on a mobile device to identify nearby fueling stations. These navigation systems can provide information about nearby fueling stations. The information provided for a fueling station can include, for example, the address of the fueling station, the distance to the fueling station, and the operating hours of the fueling station. However, in some cases, some of the information can be incorrect or out of date. Furthermore, the information provided by these available navigation systems may not include other types of information that are useful to the user. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] In one example embodiment, a method is provided for managing information about a fuel station using a profile management system implemented on a server. Imaging data for the fuel station is received by the profile management system from a vehicle over a first wireless communications link. Selected information for the fuel station is identified by the profile management system based on the imaging data received from the vehicle. The selected information includes pricing information and at least one of fuel inventory information or operating hours information for the fuel station. A profile for the fuel station is updated by the profile management system based on the selected information. At least a portion of the profile for the fuel station is sent by the profile management system to a target system over a second wireless communications link. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In another example embodiment, a method is provided for managing information about fuel stations using a profile management system implemented in a server. Imaging data for a plurality of fuel stations is received from a plurality of vehicles over a network. Selected information for each of the plurality of fuel stations is identified based on the imaging data. The selected information for a particular fuel station of the plurality of fuel stations includes an identification of the particular fuel station, pricing information, and at least one of fuel inventory information or operating hours information for the fuel station. A profile for each of the plurality of fuel stations is updated based on the selected information. A customized fuel delivery solution for the target system is generated based on the updated information for the at least one fuel station in response to the event.

[0005] In yet another example embodiment, a system for managing information about a fuel station is provided. The system includes an imaging system and a profile management system. The imaging system is used on a vehicle to generate imaging data for the fuel station. The profile management system receives the imaging data. The profile management system identifies selected information for the fuel station based on the received imaging data. The selected information includes an identification of the fuel station, pricing information, and at least one of fuel inventory information or operating hours information for the fuel station. The profile management system updates a profile for the fuel station based on the selected information. The profile management system sends at least a portion of the profile for the fuel station from the profile management system to a target system.

[0006] It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory in nature and are intended to provide an understanding of the present disclosure without limiting the scope of the disclosure. In that regard, additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying figures. It is emphasized that, according to standard industry practice, various features have not been drawn to scale. In fact, dimensions of various features may be arbitrarily increased or decreased for clarity of discussion. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals, letters, or both in various instances. This repetition is for brevity and clarity and does not itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or configurations being discussed.

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a profile management system according to an example embodiment. [Diagram 2]1 is an illustration of an environment in which a vehicle generates imaging data, according to an example embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a flowchart of a method for managing information about fuel stations using a profile management system, according to an example embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart of a method for managing information about fuel stations using a profile management system, according to an example embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a flowchart of a method for generating a customized fuel delivery solution, according to an example embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart of a method for managing information about fuel stations using a profile management system, according to an example embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and associated methods are described below as may be employed in one or more methods and systems for managing the delivery of power to a communication system in a vehicle. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation or method are described in this specification. It will, of course, be recognized that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's particular objectives, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints that vary from implementation to implementation. It will further be recognized that such a development effort may be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Further aspects and advantages of various embodiments of the disclosure and associated methods will become apparent from consideration of the following description and drawings.

[0010] The example embodiments described below recognize that it may be desirable to have a method and system that uses image recognition technology to identify fueling stations and generate customized fueling solutions for vehicles on the road. The example embodiments provide a method and system that provides up-to-date and accurate information about fueling stations to prevent drivers from having to rely on external sources of information that may have outdated information about the fueling stations.

[0011] In one or more example embodiments, a profile management system is provided for managing information about a fuel station. Imaging data for the fuel station is received from a vehicle over a first wireless communications link. Selected information for the fuel station is identified based on the imaging data received from the vehicle. The selected information includes pricing information and at least one of fuel inventory information or operating hours information for the fuel station. A profile for the fuel station is updated based on the selected information. At least a portion of the profile for the fuel station is then sent to a target system over a second wireless communications link.

[0012] Turning now to the figures, Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a profile management system 100 according to an example embodiment. Profile management system 100 is implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof. In some examples, profile management system 100 is implemented using a single processor or multiple processors in communication with each other. When multiple processors are used, the processors may communicate with each other over at least one of a wired communication link, a wireless communication link, or some other type of communication link. In some examples, profile management system 100 includes various components that communicate with each other over at least one of a wired, wireless, or optical communication link.

[0013] In some examples, the profile management system 100 is implemented using a cloud. In one or more example embodiments, the profile management system 100 is implemented using a server 102. The server 102 may include any number of servers, and each server may include at least one of a physical server, a virtual server, a web server, or some other type of server. In some examples, the servers include one or more physical servers and one or more virtual servers that communicate with each other.

[0014] The profile management system 100 uses the imaging data 104 received from the multiple vehicles 106 to update the multiple profiles 108 for the multiple fuel stations 110 over time. In one or more example embodiments, the profile management system 100 uses the imaging data 104 to update the multiple profiles 108 in substantially real-time. As used herein, substantially real-time means real-time or near real-time.

[0015] A fuel station in the plurality of fuel stations 110 is a physical business entity that provides gasoline, diesel fuel, or both to customers. A fuel station may also be referred to as a gas station or a fuel station. Fuel station 112 is one example of the plurality of fuel stations 110. Each profile in the plurality of profiles 108 is associated with a corresponding fuel station in the plurality of fuel stations 110. For example, profile 114 in the plurality of profiles 108 corresponds to fuel station 112 in the plurality of fuel stations 110.

[0016] Profile 114 may include various types of profile information corresponding to fuel station 112. In one or more example embodiments, profile 114 includes price information 116 and at least one of fuel inventory information 118, operating hours information 120, the location of fuel station 112, date and time information, the name of fuel station 112, or some other type of information about fuel station 112.

[0017] Price information 116 may include, for example, but is not limited to, a price per gallon for each different type of fuel offered by fuel station 112. Fuel inventory information 118 may include, for example, but is not limited to, an inventory of fuel at fuel station 112. For example, fuel inventory information 118 may identify various types of fuel offered by fuel station 112 and an indication of the amount of each type of fuel available. The indication may be in terms of amount or percentage. Hours of operation information 120 may include, for example, but is not limited to, an identification of the hours of operation of fuel station 112.

[0018] The profile management system 100 communicates with the plurality of vehicles 106 via a network 122. The network 122 may include any number of communication networks of any number of types and in any number of different configurations. For example, the network 122 may include at least one of a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) (e.g., the Internet), a public network, a private network, a peer-to-peer network, a cellular network, an ad-hoc network, any other type of wireless communication network, or any other type of communication network. In one or more example embodiments, the network 122 primarily enables wireless communication between the profile management system 100 and the plurality of vehicles 106.

[0019] Vehicle 124 is an example of one of the plurality of vehicles 106. Vehicle 124 includes an imaging system 126. Imaging system 126 may include any number of imaging devices. The imaging devices may include at least one of a camera, a stereo camera, a video camera, an infrared camera, or some other type of camera or imaging device.

[0020] As vehicle 124 travels, imaging system 126 generates initial imaging data 128. Imaging system 126 has a field of view that is greater than the field of view of a human. For example, imaging system 126 can generate one or more images at a resolution that captures information about fuel station 112 that can be discerned, through processing, from a longer distance or wider field of view than a human can easily and accurately discern the same information.

[0021] In one or more example embodiments, the initial imaging data 128 can be sent directly to the profile management system 100 for processing. In these examples, the initial imaging data 128 is used as imaging data 104. In other examples, the initial imaging data 128 is first processed on board the vehicle 124 before being sent to the profile management system 100 as imaging data 104 for processing.

[0022] In this manner, the profile management system 100 receives imaging data 104 from the vehicle 124 over the network 122. For example, the vehicle 124 may send the imaging data 104 to the profile management system 100 over a wireless communications link. As used herein, a wireless communications link may comprise any number of communications including at least one wireless link or connection.

[0023] The imaging data 104 received by the profile management system 100 captures information about the fuel station 112. The profile management system 100 processes the imaging data 104 to identify selected information 130 for the fuel station 112 from the imaging data 104. The selected information 130 may include price information, fuel inventory information, operating hours information, location information (e.g., GPS information), date and time, the name of the fuel station 112, any other type of information, or a combination thereof. In one or more example embodiments, the selected information 130 is identified using data analysis, cloud computing, or both. In some examples, at least a portion of the selected information 130 is identified based on metadata associated with or embedded in the imaging data 104.

[0024] The profile management system 100 uses the selected information 130 to update a profile 114 for the fuel station 112. The profile 114 includes profile information. Updating the profile 114 may include adding at least a portion of the selected information to the profile 114, replacing at least a portion of the profile 114 with at least a portion of the selected information 130, adding information to the profile 114, or replacing information in the profile 114 based on at least a portion of the profile 114, or a combination thereof. Adding information to the profile 114 or replacing information in the profile 114 based on a portion of the selected information 130 may include transforming or using a portion of the selected information 130 to identify other information for use in updating the profile 114.

[0025] The profile management system 100 sends at least a portion of the profile 114 for the fuel station 112 to one or more target systems over one or more corresponding wireless communications links. For example, the profile management system 100 sends the profile 114 to the target system 132. The target system 132 can then use the profile 114 or a portion of the profile 114 for the fuel station 112 to generate alerts or reports, update its profile or a database storing information about the fuel station 112, generate information for display to a driver (e.g., the driver of the vehicle 134), or any combination thereof.

[0026] The target system 132 is located remotely relative to at least a portion of the profile management system 100. The target system 132 can take a number of different forms. In one or more examples, the target system 132 takes the form of a vehicle 134, which is a different vehicle than the vehicle 124. In other examples, the target system 132 takes the form of a navigation system 136. The navigation system 136 can include, for example, a map provider or service (e.g., a web map creation service, a GPS navigation software application, etc.). In yet another example, the target system 132 takes the form of an application server 138. The application server 138 can comprise one or more servers used by any one or more software applications (e.g., web applications, mobile device applications, etc.).

[0027] When the target system 132 takes the form of a vehicle 134, the vehicle 134 can use the portions of the profile 114 received from the profile management system 100 to generate a customized fueling solution for the vehicle 134. For example, generation of the customized fueling solution can be triggered when fuel in a fuel tank of the vehicle 134 reaches a selected threshold. The system (e.g., a processor, a solution generator, etc.) can generate a customized fueling solution 140 for presentation to one or more persons in the vehicle 134 (e.g., the driver of the vehicle 134, or a passenger of the vehicle 134).

[0028] The customized fueling solution 140 may include, for example, but not limited to, any portion of the profile 114, a total cost to fuel the vehicle 134 based on the fuel price at the fuel station 112 as determined from the profile 114, an indication of whether the fuel station 112 has sufficient inventory of the fuel used or required by the vehicle 134, the distance to the fuel station 112, an indication of whether the identified fuel station 112 or some other fuel station should be used, an indication of whether the fuel station 112 is too far away and whether a drone should be sent to fuel the vehicle 134, or any combination thereof. Because the customized fueling solution 140 is ultimately generated based on the imaging data 104 received from the vehicle 124, the customized fueling solution 140 is guaranteed to be up to date. For example, the time between sending the imaging data 104 from the vehicle 124 to the profile management system 100 and the generation of the customized fueling solution 140 can occur without significant delay (e.g., substantially in real time).

[0029] In another example embodiment, the profile management system 100 generates the customized fueling solution 140 for the vehicle 134 in response to an event. The event may be, for example, receiving a request from the vehicle 134, a timer expiring, notifying the vehicle 134 that it is within a selected distance of a fueling station 112, or some other type of event. The profile management system 100 may then send the customized fueling solution 140 to the vehicle 134 over the network 122. The customized fueling solution 140 may be presented visually, audibly, or both to a driver or passenger in the vehicle 134. For example, the vehicle 134 may use an output system to present the customized fueling solution 140. The output system may include any number of displays, speakers, other output devices, or a combination thereof.

[0030] When target system 132 takes the form of navigation system 136, navigation system 136 processes the portion of received profile 114 to generate an alert or report, update its profile or a database storing information about fuel station 112, perform some other task, or a combination thereof. When target system 132 takes the form of application server 138, application server 138 stores the portion of received profile 114 for use by one or more applications. In some cases, application server 138 processes information in received profile 114 to form new information that is stored for use by one or more applications.

[0031] In this manner, the profile management system 100 enables information about the plurality of fuel stations 110 to be updated in substantially real-time and customized fuel delivery solutions to be provided to the plurality of vehicles 106 in substantially real-time. The profile management system 100 ensures that imaging data 104 received from different vehicles in the plurality of vehicles 106 is used to provide current and accurate information about the plurality of fuel stations 110 to any number of target systems over time.

[0032] The illustration of the profile management system 100 in FIG. 1 is not meant to imply physical or architectural limitations to the manner in which an example embodiment may be implemented. Other components in addition to or in place of the illustrated components may be used. Some components are optional. Also, some blocks are presented to illustrate functional components. One or more of the blocks in FIG. 1 may be combined, divided, or combined and divided into different blocks when implemented in an example embodiment.

[0033] In other example embodiments, the profile management system 100 may be implemented at least partially in a vehicle, such as the vehicle 124. For example, the profile management system 100 may process the initial imaging data 128 on-board the vehicle 124 to determine at least a portion of the selected information 130 on-board the vehicle 124.

[0034] Figure 2 is an illustration of an environment in which a vehicle 200 generates imaging data, according to an example embodiment. Vehicle 200 is an example of one implementation for vehicle 124 in Figure 2. In one example embodiment, vehicle 200 generates imaging data, such as imaging data 104 described in Figure 1, as vehicle 200 travels along road 202 and passes fuel station 204. Imaging data 104 images fuel station 204 and sign 206 for fuel station 204. Sign 206 is a sign along road 202 that identifies the fuel price for fuel station 204.

[0035] In this example embodiment, vehicle 200 transmits imaging data 104 over network 122 to profile management system 100 in substantially real-time, and profile management system 100 updates the profile for fuel station 204 in substantially real-time. If a profile does not already exist for fuel station 204, profile management system 100 can create a new profile for fuel station 204.

[0036] In this example embodiment, vehicle 208 is traveling along road 210 within a selected distance of fuel station 204. An event may occur that generates a trigger indicating a need for a customized fuel delivery solution for vehicle 208. In one example, profile management system 100 sends at least a portion of the information included in the profile for fuel station 204 to vehicle 208 over network 122. Vehicle 208 can then generate a customized fuel delivery solution, such as customized fuel delivery solution 140 in FIG. 1 . In another example, profile management system 100 generates a customized fuel delivery solution for vehicle 208 and sends the customized fuel delivery solution to vehicle 208 over network 122.

[0037] Although vehicle 200 is shown traveling along road 202 as vehicle 200 generates imaging data, vehicle 200 may also generate imaging data while at fuel station 204. For example, vehicle 200 may generate imaging data while at fuel station 204 filling its fuel tank with gasoline.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method 300 for managing information about fuel stations using a profile management system, according to an example embodiment. Method 300 is illustrated as a set of operations, or steps, 302 through 308, and is described with continued reference to FIG. 1. One or more steps not explicitly illustrated in FIG. 3 may be included before, after, between, or as part of steps 302 through 308. In some embodiments, one or more of steps 302 through 308 may be implemented, at least in part, in the form of executable code stored on a non-transitory, tangible, machine-readable medium that, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform one or more processes. In one or more embodiments, the steps may be performed by profile management system 100 of FIG. 1.

[0039] Method 300 may begin by receiving imaging data for a fuel station from a vehicle over a first wireless communications link (step 302). Selected information for the fuel station is identified based on the imaging data received from the vehicle (step 304). Step 304 may be performed in a number of different ways. In one or more examples, the selected information for the fuel station is identified based on the imaging data using data analytics, cloud computing, or both. For example, any number or combination of image, text, or character recognition techniques may be used to extract the selected information.

[0040] The selected information includes price information and at least one of fuel inventory information or operating hours information for the fuel station. Price information may include, for example, fuel prices. These fuel prices may include, for example, a price per gallon for each of the different types of fuel offered by the fuel station. Fuel inventory information may include, for example, an indication of the various types of fuel offered by the fuel station and an indication of the amount of each type of fuel available. Operating hours information may include, for example, an indication of operating hours of the fuel station 112. In some cases, the selected information includes a timestamp for the imaging data, which may include a date and time. In some examples, the selected information includes a name of the fuel station. In other examples, the selected information includes a location of the fuel station.

[0041] In some examples, the identified selected information includes the distance from the vehicle to a fuel station based on the last known location of the vehicle, an indication of how many miles the vehicle has left to travel based on latest sensor data indicating the fuel level in the vehicle's tank, some other type of information, or a combination thereof.

[0042] A profile for the fuel station is then updated based on the selected information (step 306). The profile for the fuel station may be stored in a database, a cloud, an associative memory, some other type of data structure, or a combination thereof. The profile may be updated by adding at least a portion of the selected information to the profile, or by replacing at least a portion of the information in the profile with at least a portion of the selected information, or both. In these examples, the profile for the fuel station is updated substantially in real time in response to receiving imaging data from the vehicle.

[0043] At least a portion of the profile for the fuel station is then sent over a second wireless communications link to the target system (step 308). The target system may be a different vehicle, a navigation system, an application server, or some other type of target system. The profile management system ensures that the target system receives current and accurate information. In some examples, step 308 is performed in the profile management system substantially in real time relative to receiving the imaging data from the vehicle.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method 400 for managing information about a fuel station using a profile management system, according to an example embodiment. Method 400 is illustrated as a set of operations, or steps, 402 through 412, and is described with continued reference to FIG. 1. Not all illustrated steps 402 through 412 may be performed in all embodiments of method 400. One or more steps not explicitly illustrated in FIG. 4 may be included before, after, during, or as part of steps 402 through 412. In some embodiments, one or more of steps 402 through 412 may be implemented, at least in part, in the form of executable code stored on a non-transitory, tangible, machine-readable medium that, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform one or more processes. In one or more embodiments, the steps in method 400 are performed using a vehicle, such as vehicle 124 in FIG. 1, and a profile management system, such as profile management system 100 in FIG. 1.

[0045] Method 400 begins by generating initial imaging data for a fuel station on a vehicle (step 402). The imaging data is then sent to the profile management system for processing (step 404). In some examples, step 404 includes sending the initial imaging data directly to the profile management system. In other examples, step 404 includes first processing the initial imaging data to generate imaging data that is sent to the profile management system for processing. In one or more examples, the imaging data is sent to the profile management system over a network.

[0046] The imaging data is then processed using data analytics to generate selected information for the fuel station (step 406). Data analytics may include, for example, any number or combination of image, text, or character recognition techniques. The selected information may include, for example, an identification of the fuel station, pricing information, and at least one of operating hours or fuel inventory information for the fuel station. A profile for the fuel station is then updated based on the selected information (step 408).

[0047] The profile management system waits for an event (step 410). In response to the occurrence of the event, the profile management system at least one of: sending at least a portion of the profile for the fueling station to the target system, or generating a customized fueling solution for the target system and sending the customized fueling solution to the target system (step 412). The customized fueling solution may include, for example, but not limited to, any portion of the profile for the fueling station, a total cost to fuel the vehicle based on the fuel price at the fueling station 112 as determined from the profile 114, an indication of whether the fueling station 112 has sufficient inventory of the fuel used or required by the vehicle 134, a distance to the fueling station 112, an indication of whether the identified fueling station 112 or some other fueling station should be used, an indication of whether the fueling station 112 is too far away and a drone should be sent to fuel the vehicle 134, or any combination thereof.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method 500 for generating a customized fuel delivery solution, according to an example embodiment. Method 500 is illustrated as a set of operations, or steps, 502 through 504, and is described with continued reference to FIG. 1. Not all illustrated steps 502 through 504 may be performed in all embodiments of method 500. One or more steps not explicitly illustrated in FIG. 5 may be included before, after, during, or as part of steps S502 through 504. In some embodiments, one or more of steps 502 through 504 may be implemented, at least in part, in the form of executable code stored on a non-transitory, tangible, machine-readable medium, which, when executed by one or more processors, may cause the one or more processors to perform one or more of the processes. In one or more embodiments, the steps are performed by a vehicle, such as vehicle 134 in FIG. 1.

[0049] Method 500 begins by receiving, on the vehicle, at least a portion of a profile for a fuel station (step 502). At least a portion of the profile can be received from a profile management system located remotely from the vehicle. For example, the profile for the fuel station can be the profile updated in step 306 of method 300 in FIG. 3. In other examples, at least a portion of the profile can be received from a different system, component, or processor on the vehicle.

[0050] A customized fuel delivery solution is then generated using at least a portion of the profile for the fuel station, step 504. Since the profile is updated based on imaging data generated by the vehicle, in step 504, the customized fuel delivery solution is generated based on current and accurate profile information.

[0051] The customized fueling solution may include, for example, an indication of the fueling station closest to the vehicle. In some examples, the customized fueling solution also includes an indication of whether the inventory at the fueling station is sufficient for the vehicle's needs. For example, if the vehicle requires premium gasoline, the customized fueling solution may indicate whether the fueling station has sufficient inventory of premium gasoline to address the vehicle's fueling needs based on the detected fuel level at the vehicle. For example, sensor data indicating the fuel level in a fuel tank at the vehicle may be used in generating the customized fueling solution.

[0052] In some instances, the customized fueling solution may indicate that the fueling station closest to the vehicle is not the best option for the vehicle. The customized fueling solution may identify a different fueling station for the vehicle.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method 600 for generating a customized fuel delivery solution, according to an example embodiment. Method 600 is illustrated as a set of operations, or steps, 602 through 610, and is described with continued reference to FIG. 1. Not all illustrated steps 602 through 610 may be performed in all embodiments of method 600. One or more steps not explicitly illustrated in FIG. 6 may be included before, after, during, or as part of steps 602 through 610. In some embodiments, one or more of steps 602 through 610 may be implemented, at least in part, in the form of executable code stored on a non-transitory, tangible, machine-readable medium, which, when executed by one or more processors, may cause the one or more processors to perform one or more processes. In one or more embodiments, one or more of the steps may be performed using a profile management system, such as profile management system 100 in FIG. 1.

[0054] Method 600 may begin by receiving imaging data for a plurality of fuel stations from a plurality of vehicles over a network (step 602). Selected information for each of the plurality of fuel stations is identified based on the imaging data (step 604). The selected information for a particular fuel station of the plurality of fuel stations includes a representation of the particular fuel station, pricing information, and at least one of fuel inventory information or operating hours information for the fuel station.

[0055] A profile for each of the plurality of fuel stations is updated based on the selected information (step 606). The method 600 then determines whether an event has occurred (step 608). In step 608, the event may be receiving an alert from a particular vehicle or a request for a customized fueling solution. In another example, the event may be the expiration of a timer. In another example, the event may be some other type of event.

[0056] With respect to step 608, if an event has not occurred, method 600 returns to above step 602. On the other hand, if an event has occurred, a customized fuel delivery solution is generated for the target system based on updated information for the at least one fuel station in response to the event (step 610).

[0057] Thus, example embodiments provide methods and systems for providing up-to-date and accurate information for a fuel station. A profile for a fuel station is updated based on substantially real-time imaging data received from one or more vehicles as the vehicle travels along a roadway near the fuel station or as the vehicle is located at the fuel station (e.g., parked at the fuel station or being fueled at the fuel station). In this manner, customized fueling solutions can be provided to other vehicles without significant delay based on the latest available information.

[0058] While certain example embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely exemplary of the broad invention and are not limiting thereof, and that since various other embodiments may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art, the embodiments of the invention are not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described. It is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. 1. A method for managing information about a fuel station using a profile management system implemented in a server, comprising: receiving, by the profile management system, imaging data from a vehicle over a first wireless communications link for a fuel station; identifying, by the profile management system, selected information for the fuel station based on the imaging data received from the vehicle, the selected information including pricing information and at least one of fuel inventory information or operating hours information for the fuel station; updating, by the profile management system, a profile for the fuel station based on the selected information; transmitting, by the profile management system, at least a portion of the profile for the fuel station to a target system over a second wireless communications link; A method comprising:

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating the imaging data by and on the vehicle using an imaging system.

3. The step of sending, by the profile management system, the at least a portion of the profile, further comprises: The method of claim 1 , comprising sending, by the profile management system, the at least a portion of the profile over the second wireless communications link to one of a different vehicle, a navigation system, or an application server.

4. The step of sending, by the profile management system, the at least a portion of the profile, further comprises:

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting, by the profile management system, the at least a portion of the profile in a customized fuel delivery solution for the target system from the profile management system to the target system over the second wireless communications link.

5. The step of identifying the selected information by the profile management system comprises: The method of claim 1 , further comprising identifying, by the profile management system, the fuel filling station from the imaging data.

6. determining, by the profile management system, whether the profile exists for the fuel station; 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: in response to determining, by the profile management system, that the profile does not exist for the fuel station, creating the profile for the fuel station.

7. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein updating the profile by the profile management system includes at least one of adding at least a portion of the selected information to the profile or replacing at least a portion of the information in the profile with at least a portion of the selected information.

8. the target system is a different vehicle; 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising creating, by the profile management system, a customized fuel delivery solution for the different vehicles based on at least a portion of the profile, the customized fuel delivery solution being created substantially in real time to receipt of the imaging data at the profile management system.

9. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the customized fuel delivery solution includes at least one of: a total cost to fuel the different vehicle based on the price information for the fuel station; an indication of whether the fuel station has sufficient inventory of a type of fuel corresponding to the different vehicle; a distance from the different vehicle to the fuel station; an indication of whether the fuel station should be used; an indication of whether a different fuel station should be used; or an indication of whether the fuel station is too far from the different vehicle and a drone should be used to fuel the different vehicle.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising at least one of visually or audibly presenting the customized fueling solution in the different vehicle.

11. 1. A method for managing information about a fuel station using a profile management system implemented in a server, comprising: receiving imaging data from a plurality of vehicles for a plurality of fuel filling stations over a network; identifying selected information for each of the plurality of fuel dispensing stations based on the imaging data, the selected information including a specific fuel dispensing station identification, pricing information, and at least one of fuel inventory information or hours of operation information for the specific fuel dispensing station; updating a profile for each of the plurality of fuel stations based on the selected information; generating a customized fuel delivery solution for the target system in response to the event and based on up-to-date information for the at least one fuel delivery station; A method comprising:

12. The step of generating a customized fuel supply solution includes: transmitting at least a portion of the profile for a selected fuel station from the profile management system to the target system over the network; and generating, by the target system, the customized fuel delivery solution for the selected fuel station based at least in part on the received profile.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the customized fuel delivery solution includes at least one of: a total cost to fuel the special vehicle based on the price information for the selected fuel station; an indication of whether the selected fuel station has sufficient inventory of a type of fuel corresponding to the special vehicle; a distance from the special vehicle to the selected fuel station; an indication of whether the selected fuel station should be used; an indication of whether a different fuel station should be used; or an indication of whether the selected fuel station is too far from the special vehicle and a drone should be used to fuel the special vehicle.

14. the target system is a vehicle, and generating the customized fuel delivery solution comprises: The method of claim 11 , comprising generating, by the profile management system, the customized fuel delivery solution for the vehicle.

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