Fuel Dispensing Control via Geolocation and Mobile Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel distribution systems for private use lack control over refueling operations, particularly in terms of geographical restrictions, fuel transfers, and tracking of refueling by vehicles from other companies, and do not provide reliable authentication and monitoring capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising mobile and remote processing devices connected via short-range wireless and telematic networks, allowing for geographical area control, fuel transfer management, and authentication of users, with remote central processing enabling data storage and reporting for comprehensive monitoring and authorization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fuel distribution systems are provided without payment requirements or authentication, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to indiscriminate refueling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication of users before allowing refueling operations. The mobile processing device communicates with the dispensing unit to verify user identity and authorization status, and the system checks whether the user is authorized to refuel at the specific geographical location before enabling the dispensing operation.
2Reliability
If authentication and tracking devices are added to distribution facilities, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the driver's existing mobile device (smartphone or tablet) which they already possess for communication purposes. The mobile processing device serves as both the authentication interface and tracking device, eliminating the need for separate dedicated authentication terminals or complex fixed infrastructure at each dispensing location.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile processing device performs multiple functions: it serves as an authentication interface, a tracking device, a communication module, and a user interface. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate devices into a single portable unit that the driver already carries.
3Reliability
If geographical area control is implemented, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted access
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate feedback to the user through the mobile processing device interface, indicating whether the current geographical location is authorized for refueling. The system communicates the result of the geographical verification in real-time, allowing the user to understand whether refueling is permitted at their current location without manual checking or confusion.
4Ease of operation
If mobile devices are used for authentication, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information increases due to network dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of network connectivity before initiating authentication operations. If the network connection is unavailable, the system proactively switches to offline mode, using locally stored authentication data and geographical information to continue verifying user credentials and authorization status without requiring real-time network communication.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for controlling the dispensing of fuel by a distribution facility, which comprises at least one dispensing unit (12), at least one mobile processing device (14), operated by a respective driver user (72), and a remote central processing device (20). The dispensing unit (12) and the mobile device (14) are mutually connectable via a short-range wireless communication network (13). The mobile device (14) and the remote central device (20) are mutually connectable via a telematic communication network (18); the mobile device (14) comprises geolocation means (31), configured to detect the geographical position where the mobile device is located (14), and an authorization verification module (34) configured to enable the dispensing of fuel by the dispensing unit (12) as a result of the connection between the mobile device (14) and the dispensing unit (12), via respective short-range wireless communication modules (26, 36), if the geographical position detected by the geolocation means (31) is located within a predetermined authorized geographical area.