Cloud-Assisted Fueling Authorization System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fueling methods at gas stations require multiple steps and significant time for customers to authorize and complete fueling, including retrieving payment cards, verifying loyalty/reward memberships, selecting payment types, and waiting for authorization and receipts.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-assisted fueling system that shifts data input and processing to the cloud, allowing customers to authorize fueling through a device using a unique customer identifier, payment token, and fuel pump identifier, reducing the need for on-site interactions and streamlining the payment process via a cloud computing system and on-site computer network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional on-site fueling authorization process is used, then payment security and verification are ensured, but customer service time and fueling speed deteriorate due to multiple steps requiring 1-1.5 minutes per transaction
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs pre-authorization of payment cards before fueling, stores authorization tokens securely, and prepares customer profiles in advance. When a customer arrives at the pump, the authorization is already validated, eliminating the need for real-time card verification and security code entry during the fueling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cloud-based payment token system as an intermediary between the customer's payment card and the fueling pump. The token acts as a secure proxy that carries pre-validated authorization information, allowing the pump to verify customer identity and payment status without direct interaction with the physical card or sensitive payment data.
2Reliability
If multiple verification steps are implemented, then payment security is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty worsen due to multiple devices and interaction points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple verification functions (payment validation, customer identification, authorization checking) into a single integrated cloud-based token system. Instead of requiring separate verification steps at different devices, the token consolidates all authorization information in one portable credential that the pump can verify independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the payment authorization in the form of a token that can be transmitted and verified without handling the original payment card or sensitive data. This copy contains all necessary verification information while eliminating the need for complex physical verification processes.
3Loss of time
If cloud-based authorization is implemented, then fueling process time is reduced, but data communication requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heavy data communication requirements from the real-time fueling process and moves them to the pre-authorization phase. The token contains pre-validated information that can be verified locally at the pump without requiring continuous cloud communication during fueling, minimizing data load during the actual transaction.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a method and a cloud-assisted fueling system for one-touch fueling authorization are disclosed.