Fuel Dispenser Beacon Matching for Automatic Pump Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy delivery systems face challenges in automatically determining the delivery point used by a user during a delivery process, leading to time-consuming and error-prone manual entry processes, which increases the hardware and configuration effort at gas stations.
Innovation Solution
Equipping each dispensing device at a gas station with a beacon and using a background system to receive and process time-dependent terminal and delivery point data sets, allowing for the determination of delivery point assignment probabilities based on beacon signal strength and state data, enabling automatic association of the delivery point with the user's mobile terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual entry of delivery point identifiers is used, then users can specify the exact delivery point, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual entry system with an automated electronic determination system. The background system automatically identifies the delivery point by processing terminal data records (containing device identifiers and location information) and delivery point data records (containing status and identifier information), eliminating the need for manual typing or selection by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the terminal device to automatically determine and associate with the delivery point without user intervention. The terminal device sends data records that are processed by the background system, which automatically matches the terminal with the correct delivery point based on location and status data, making the user unnecessary for the identification process.
2Ease of operation
If automated determination of delivery point is implemented, then user convenience is improved, but hardware expenditure and configuration effort at petrol stations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using standard mobile terminal devices (smartphones, tablets) that users already possess, rather than requiring specialized hardware at the delivery point. The terminal device's existing capabilities (location services, data transmission) are leveraged for the automated determination process, avoiding additional hardware expenditures at petrol stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The background system serves as an intermediary that processes data records and performs the matching algorithm between terminals and delivery points. This centralizes the computational complexity in the background system rather than requiring complex hardware or configuration at each petrol station location, simplifying the on-site infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If detailed location data and operating states are recorded and linked, then delivery point determination accuracy is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the terminal device and delivery point systems continuously collect and prepare data records (terminal data records with location information and delivery point data records with status information) before the actual delivery transaction. This pre-processing of data ensures that when determination is needed, the matching can be performed quickly and accurately without complex real-time processing.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an energy delivery system (222, 422, 522, 622) comprising a background system (100, 200) according to claim 21, and at least one first delivery point (224.1, 424.1, 524.1, 624.1) and a second delivery point (224.2, 424.2, 524.2, 624.2), wherein the first delivery point (224.1, 424.1, 524.1, 624.1) and the second delivery point (224.2, 424.2, 524.2, 624.2) comprise at least one first delivery device (226.1) with a first beacon (240.1) and a second delivery device (226.3) with a second beacon (240.3).