Fuel Dispensing Control with Mobile Authorization and Real-Time Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fuel vending apparatuses for private use lack tracking and control of refueling operations, allowing indiscriminate and uncontrolled refueling without user verification or authorization, and do not provide real-time monitoring or reporting for fuel consumption.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a dispensing assembly, mobile processing device, and central remote processing device connected via short-range and telematic networks, enabling user verification, tracking, and real-time reporting of fuel consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fuel vending apparatuses allow free access for refueling operations, then ease of operation is improved, but control and tracking of fuel dispensing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidcontrol and tracking
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a control unit as an intermediary between the fuel dispensing system and the user. This control unit verifies user credentials (ID card, mobile device) and authorization before allowing fuel dispensing, thereby maintaining ease of operation while implementing reliable control and tracking mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If no user verification is performed, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information regarding refueling operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidloss of information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of user identity and authorization before allowing fuel dispensing operations. The control unit checks user credentials in advance and stores verification data, ensuring that no information is lost while maintaining operational simplicity for authorized users

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If real-time monitoring and tracking systems are implemented, then measurement precision of fuel consumption is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors fuel dispensing operations, tracks consumption data, and provides real-time information to authorized users via mobile devices. This feedback system achieves precise measurement of fuel consumption while managing complexity through centralized control and digital communication protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4159668B1System and method for controlling the dispensing of fuel
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 PIUSI SPA
  • EP4159668B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4159668B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4159668B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A system (10) for controlling the dispensing of fuel by a vending apparatus, particularly for private use, comprising at least one dispensing assembly (12), at least one mobile processing device (14) operated by a respective driver user (72), and a central remote processing device (20). The dispensing assembly (12) and the mobile device (14) are mutually connectable by means of a short-range wireless communication network (13), while the mobile device (14) and the central remote device (20) are mutually connectable by means of a telematic communication network (18); the mobile device (14) comprises mobile storage means (40), configured to store a list of driver users (72) who are registered and authorized at the dispensing assembly (12), and an authorization verification module (34), configured to enable the dispensing of fuel as a consequence of the connection between the mobile device (14) and the dispensing assembly (12), by virtue of respective short-range wireless communication modules (26, 36), if the driver user (72) is included in the list of driver users (72) registered and authorized at the dispensing assembly (12).