Distributed Fuel Sentry Authorization for Offline Pump Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel dispensing systems in small tanks for trucks and work-site stations lack security, leading to risks of untracked distribution, fuel misappropriation, theft, and incorrect fuel usage, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A distributed fuel sentry system with relayed communication capabilities, utilizing a processor, storage, and communication module to authorize fuel dispensing operations, track fuel consumption, and generate transaction records, even in offline modes, by controlling fuel pumps based on user authorization and configuration data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fuel tanks are made portable and unsecured for easy distribution, then ease of operation is improved, but security and tracking reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-authorizing users and pre-configuring fuel dispensing parameters before actual fuel distribution occurs. The sentry device stores authorization data and user profiles in advance, enabling secure automated control when fuel is dispensed without requiring manual verification at the time of distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel sentry device acts as an intermediary between the portable fuel tank and the user's dispensing operation. It mediates the fuel distribution process by controlling the pump mechanism, verifying user authorization, and tracking fuel consumption, thereby securing the system while maintaining ease of operation.
2Productivity
If manual authorization processes are used for fuel dispensing, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service fuel dispensing by automatically verifying user authorization and controlling the pump without requiring manual intervention. Users can independently access and dispense fuel through the automated authentication process, significantly improving productivity while the sentry device handles the complexity of security verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical authorization processes with electronic/digital authorization mechanisms. Instead of physical keys or manual permits, the sentry device uses electronic user profiles, authentication codes, and digital records to control fuel dispensing, enhancing efficiency while managing complexity through software-based solutions.
3Reliability
If offline operation is enabled for remote locations, then reliability of fuel dispensing is improved, but loss of information and communication capability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The sentry device performs preliminary actions by storing complete user authorization profiles, fuel type information, and dispensing parameters locally in its memory before offline operation begins. This pre-stored information enables the device to autonomously authenticate users and control fuel dispensing without real-time network connectivity, maintaining reliability in remote locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where transaction records are locally stored and tracked during offline operation, then synchronized with central servers when connectivity is restored. This feedback loop ensures that information is not permanently lost but temporarily held, allowing the system to maintain both offline reliability and eventual data synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel dispensing system includes a fuel tank, a pump that pumps fuel from the fuel tank, and a fuel sentry controlling pumping of the fuel from the fuel tank. The fuel sentry includes a processor, storage storing configuration data, a communication module, and memory operatively coupled to the processor, the storage, and the communication module. The memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive, from an external device and via the communication module, a request to perform a fuel dispensing operation from the at least one fuel tank, determine, based on the configuration data stored in the storage, whether a user of the external device is authorized to perform the fuel dispensing operation from the at least one fuel tank, and in response to determining that that user is authorized to perform the fuel dispensing operation from the at least one fuel tank, transmit power to the pump from a power source to allow the user to pump fuel.