Fluid Meter Register QR Capture for Secure Transfer Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid transfer systems lack secure and accurate data collection and management, particularly in sensitive applications like aircraft refueling, where proprietary information needs to be protected from third-party access and manipulation.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a fluid flow meter coupled with a register that generates a scannable code, such as a QR code, displaying transfer data which can be optically scanned and stored on a portable device, then securely transferred to a back-end system without reliance on wireless connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wireless data transmission is used for fluid transfer data, then data collection efficiency is improved, but data security deteriorates due to potential third-party access and manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata collection efficiencyVSAvoiddata security
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an optical code (QR code or data matrix code) as an intermediary carrier between the metering register and the data collection device. The transfer data is converted into visual code form displayed on the register's screen, which can then be scanned by a portable device's camera or scanner. This intermediary optical carrier eliminates the need for direct wireless electronic transmission, thereby preventing third-party hacking or data manipulation while maintaining efficient data collection through optical scanning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual ticket collection is used for fluid transfer data, then data security is maintained, but labor intensity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of writing down or collecting physical tickets with an automated optical scanning system. The metering register automatically generates and displays the transfer data in code format, and the portable device automatically captures this data through its camera or scanner. This substitution eliminates manual labor while maintaining data security because the data remains in visual code form that can be captured without electronic transmission, thus resolving both security concerns and time consumption issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If printable tickets are used for data transfer, then data accessibility is improved, but environmental waste and data manipulation risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoidenvironmental waste and security risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses optical codes (QR codes or data matrix codes) displayed on the metering register screen as a digital copy of the transfer data. This visual code can be scanned and captured by a portable device's camera or scanner, providing easy data accessibility without requiring physical paper tickets. The data is copied from the electronic display to the portable device's memory, eliminating the need for printing while maintaining data accessibility and reducing environmental waste associated with paper tickets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3644017B1System and methods for smart metering
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 ADVANCED FLOW SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP3644017B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3644017B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3644017B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for providing for improved fluid transfer information collection and management. Such a system may utilize scannable codes to collect fluid transfer information, mitigating the use of printable tickets, manual collection, or wireless connection and transmission to remote external devices while improving security. As an example, a fluid flow meter can be coupled with a register that collects flow information from the meter and other collected information associated with fluid transfer. Upon completion of a fluid transfer event, such as aircraft refueling, LPG fueling, or other refined fuels or valuable liquids, data associated with the transfer event, such as amount, type, conditions, operator, time, etc., can be converted into an encryptable, scannable code, such as a QR code. The scannable code can be displayed on a display screen, and captured by a portable device, and stored. The captured data or code may later be transferred to a third party or back end data management system for further analysis or processing.