Automatic fuel payment device and automatic fuel payment procedure (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

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DESCRIPTION

AUTOMATIC FUEL PAYMENT DEVICE AND AUTOMATIC FUEL PAYMENT PROCEDURE

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention deals with an automatic fuel payment device and automatic fuel payment procedure, which makes it possible to pay without having to go to the cashier or waiting for uncomfortable queues. In this way, a process that is sometimes very cumbersome as well as causing a great loss of time is automated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present, when going to refuel at any service station, two procedures are followed, either prepayment is made, having to pay the amount at the cash register before filling the tank, or on the contrary, the tank is filled and later make the payment at the cashier.

That is, when the tank is in reserve, or the driver considers that he must refuel, he stops at the chosen service station, getting off the vehicle in the direction of the cash register to make the payment before refueling, or he refuels and then passes per box. This operation, which seems simple, makes you lose a lot of travel time, especially if there are large queues at the pumps or at the cash desk, in addition to having to use physical material such as credit cards with the inconvenience that derives from it.

In other words, this process of filling the tank is a cumbersome task, since the dispensers can be full, we have to make long queues and wait a considerable interval of time until they are attended to and carry out the desired operation. But the problem does not end there, but the payment process itself becomes something tedious for all consumers.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The proposed invention solves the problems set out above in a fully satisfactory way. It is an automatic fuel payment device, as well as the procedure for making such automatic fuel payment. It is worthwhile that the proposed system serves to fill the tank with any type of fuel, be it fuel, electricity or others.

The proposed system comprises a device that is installed in the dispenser, and at least one device that will be installed inside a vehicle. Any electronic automatic payment device to which we have referred and that is incorporated into the vehicle can be connected via wireless to said device inside the pump. This electronic device of the vehicle may be incorporated as standard or it may be installed afterwards. That is, the dispenser device is connected to all existing vehicle devices, to be able to receive orders from the latter.

Thus, the procedure followed by the system through the devices would be as follows: the vehicle's fuel level sensor activates a signal, as has occurred to date with the low fuel signal or in reserve situation, where it is turns on the light to indicate the need to refuel within a short period of time. However, in this case, in addition to the above, the system activates a signal, for example, a hands-free communication system with voice recognition, associated with a microcontroller incorporated in the vehicle, either on the dashboard or in any other place that is considered appropriate. The microcontroller can be powered by the vehicle's own battery, or the device can incorporate its own battery.

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In this way, once the device is activated, it will ask if the user wishes to supply fuel, indicating the distance to the nearest service station. In this way, the driver will be informed of the vehicle's range of travel, indicated by the fuel level sensor, and if it is within the permissible distance. It can even tell you if you have enough fuel to get to the next gas station after the next one in case you don't want to refuel at the next one. If so, a series of data will be required, such as an access code, amount to be refueled, type of fuel, or any other that is considered appropriate. The system will confirm the data entered and if the user agrees, the information will be stored on a memory card of the vehicle's electronic automatic payment device, which sends it to the memory card of the dispenser through the microcontroller. The electronic device of the dispenser will only read this information from the device for specific cases or as programmed, for example, it will only read it if it is positioned at a certain distance and according to a specific angle. It is in this way to discriminate other electronic devices located in the vicinity, which could interfere in the supply process. At this point you can refuel the fuel. Once refueling, the pump's microcontroller sends an SMS to the bank, which will be in charge of making the charge. At the same time, the microcontroller sends a wireless signal to the memory card of the vehicle's electronic automatic payment device, indicating the successful end of the process.

In the event that the user's answer to the question to carry out the fuel supply is negative, the fuel sensor will again indicate the need to refuel after a certain time, for example, after half of the tank reserve, always and when the vehicle can get to a service station on time.

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In order to carry out all these operations, as mentioned, the system needs a device installed in the dispenser and at least one device installed in the vehicle.

The proposed system is integrated with the elements currently existing in both vehicles and service stations. The device to be installed in the vehicle comprises:

- a microcontroller,

- a hands-free communication system, preferably with voice recognition,

- GPRS

- GPS

- Memory card

- Wireless communication system

The device to be installed inside the dispenser will include:

- Memory card

- Wireless communication system

- Microcontroller

- Connection element between the microcontroller and the embedded system of the dispenser. It activates the automatic marking of the amount.

Both devices can have, in addition to the above, their own power supply system, that is, their own battery included inside each of the modules. But they can also do without it, so that the vehicle module will take the energy supply from the vehicle battery, while the dispenser module will be powered by the supply system of the dispenser.

Next, the operation of the system will be described separately for the at least two devices incorporated in the dispenser and in the

ES 2 394 811 To the vehicle. Thus, in the vehicle, a signal that comes from an energy level sensor or fuel level sensor, currently already incorporated in the vehicle, activates a hands-free communication system with voice recognition, associated with a microcontroller, which can be installed on the dashboard or in any other place deemed appropriate. The microcontroller establishes a series of questions to the driver and is able to discern possible answers following a pre-established computer program. This voice player and analyzer consists of two well differentiated aspects, on the one hand with a question-answer program on the one hand, and on the other hand with a voice player that will indicate later and at the end of the process that the supply has been carried out. carried out satisfactorily. The power supply to this microcontroller will be done through the vehicle's own electrical system, as long as it is possible, otherwise, as indicated above, the incorporation of a small battery.

The microcontroller has a hands-free system with voice recognition like many of the mobile phones on the market and which are introduced as an extra in many of today's vehicles. The difference in this case is that the driver does not establish contact, but it is the system itself that communicates with the driver so that he, simply by saying the amount and type of fuel, starts the process. That is, the system will recognize keywords such as amount or type of fuel and not a name. The device initiates a sequence and brief information and questions for the user to which it will answer without distraction while driving. The loudspeakers used can be the audio reproduction system's own loudspeakers, that is, the vehicle radio loudspeakers, while the order given by the driver will be made through a small-sized microphone installed in any appropriate part of the vehicle. same vehicle, close to the driver and making communication visible. It is important to note that the voice recognition system could be replaced and implemented by the radio controls integrated in the steering wheel, so that each touch could

ES 2 394 811 When equivalent to the selection of an amount or a type of fuel. The data could be displayed on the dashboard display of the vehicle.

The microcontroller also has a Global Positioning System or GPS, so that when the fuel level sensor is activated when detecting a low or reserve level, it sends a signal through an electrical pulse to the GPRS that requests the distance of the vehicle. to the service station closest to the GPS by activating the hands-free communication system by voice recognition, or any other that is implemented. By obtaining two data, distance to the service station and vehicle travel range provided by the fuel level sensor, the device is able to report the risk of unwanted stop due to lack thereof.

In this way, the system indicates to the driver that the vehicle is in reserve or low on fuel, and at the same time, indicates the nearest service station. If the driver wants to refuel, the questions are started to load the desired amount and fuel, the microcontroller sending the information to a memory card that acts as a receiver, similar to the automatic payment cards that cars carry on motorways and that are capable of storing that data in memory to dump it later when the toll passes. This card is the identification of the vehicle, associated with the vehicle's registration or chassis number.

In this way, the data will be downloaded from said memory card of the vehicle's device to which it now acts as the signal transmitter, that is, to a receiver outside the vehicle and specifically incorporated into the fuel dispenser of the vehicle. service station whose location was previously indicated through GPRS. This communication will be carried out via bluetooth, infrared, radio frequency identification systems or through any wireless transmission device, and the information is collected on a memory card of the device itself installed in the pump.

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This information collected on the memory card of the electronic automatic payment device incorporated into the existing pump is transmitted to a microcontroller, which will give the order to modify the amount and type of fuel to the pump. Between the microcontroller and the electronic head of the dispenser, an intermediate connecting element is incorporated as a system adapter, capable of transforming the existing manual marking system into a fully automated one by interpreting the order indicated by the microcontroller. In the event that the vehicle user wishes to modify the amount selected by the electronic device, priority will be given to marking by the gas station operator or by the driver. The pump, by means of the microcontroller, will incorporate the information sent and will store said data until the device of the vehicle and that of the pump are at a distance and orientation such that it is activated, or as mentioned, with any other means that prevents the connection of other unwanted devices.

The pump, through the microcontroller, will automatically change the amount and / or volume of fuel in the same way as the operator does from the computer located within the facilities. Both the electronic device of the vehicle and that of the dispenser must be located at a specific distance or radius of action and with a suitable orientation or sweep angle. The aim is to ensure that there is no possible interference from electronic devices of other vehicles located in the vicinity.

Only when the power supply has been made from the pump, the microcontroller will send the payment amount via SMS or telephone call to a bank, which recognizes where the data is sent from, that is, identifies the device and therefore the account associated with the owner performing the firm operation.

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In this way, the service station executes the charge through the bank, identical to what we do today with the credit card. Simultaneously, it will send an SMS through any wireless device to the microcontroller located in the vehicle, which will store it on the memory card of this element, indicating that the power supply (either fuel, electricity or similar) has been carried out successfully according to the indicated. This information is sent to the memory card of the vehicle that emits the message so that the driver can be heard or informed, for example, when the vehicle starts, because if it were before, he could not hear said confirmation message. At this precise moment, the message is activated in the player itself by voice or similar, informing the driver that the supply has been carried out correctly and following his instructions.

It is assumed that the vehicle, for reasons of necessity related to possible discharges of static electricity, should be switched off at the time of refueling. If this were not necessary due to the type of fuel used, the message would arrive instantly on the memory card and would be retained until the vehicle started its journey again. To carry out this step, the vehicle's speedometer could be used as a motion sensor or warning element. This would transmit the order to the microcontroller of the vehicle's electronic device, which would ultimately give an order to the voice player or would project a text message on the dashboard display, as configured, to the driver. This voice player is associated with the hands-free system with voice recognition.

The system described is considered very convenient for the driver, since he does not even have to get off it to mark the amount, wait to fill the tank, access the gas station, wait in line, pay by card or cash, etc., saving a lot amount of time and resulting in a much more comfortable task than to date.

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All this also avoids the presentation of several cards at the same time, identity card, credit card, points, etc., in addition to avoiding inclement weather by remaining the driver inside the vehicle. It also prevents card reading error, and even possible carelessness and theft when getting out of the vehicle.

On the other hand, it prevents the driver from running out of refueling due to a lack of cards and / or cash at that time, while indicating the nearest service station, avoiding the risk of the driver running out of fuel.

In addition, in terms of security due to theft, the vehicle is controlled at all times, since whenever it refuels at a service station, who is the owner and the exact location of the vehicle will be recorded. And since the charge is automatic with a password, even when ID and cards were stolen, the charge could not be made.

For service stations, by automating the service, the expenses corresponding to the supply are reduced, and both thefts at night hours, as well as cash in boxes, are avoided, although the possibility of payment in cash in them is left open.

For banks, it facilitates payment operations to fuel supplying companies, as they are made through a domiciliary payment, which is why they constitute an added value for the customer and therefore a reason for loyalty.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics that distinguish the invention, the present specification is attached, as an integral part

ES 2 394 811 Al thereof, of a set of figures, in which the following has been represented by way of illustration and not limitation:

Figure 1 shows a diagram of a possible preferred embodiment of the device of the invention, which comprises the vehicle module (2) associated with the fuel level sensor (1), connected to a speaker (6) and a microphone (4), and the module (3) of the dispenser (7).

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The proposed invention concerns an automatic fuel payment device, as well as the automatic fuel payment method.

The automatic fuel payment device comprises at least two modules (2, 3), one intended to be attached to the vehicle and the other to be attached to the electronic head of the gas station dispenser (7). The module (2) will be associated with the vehicle's fuel level sensor (1). Note that the device described will be applicable to both motor vehicles and motorcycles, as well as for vehicles with different types of fuels. When the fuel level sensor (1) indicates a certain value, the driver is informed about the need to refuel, the driver himself deciding whether to carry out the operation or not. If you do not want to refuel at that time, the device can ask again at the precise moment in which the tank is halfway through the reserve as long as the vehicle arrives on time to the next service station. In this way, it calculates the distance to the service station as well as the number of kilometers of autonomy of the vehicle or the route it can take before exhausting the reservation, warning of the possibility of unwanted stopping of the vehicle. Assuming that the driver ignores the warning, he will remain permanently stopped on the road due to lack of fuel.

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The driver can always deactivate this device and activate a manual system to refuel in a conventional way.

If the driver indicates that he does want to refuel, the device activates the system for the driver to indicate the amount and characteristics of the fuel to refuel, storing the information and sending it to the pump (7) when the modules (2, 3) are find them at a certain radius and angle of action, in the so-called sector of influence. To activate the process, the electronic device for automatic payment of the vehicle will request an access code or security code that will only be known to the driver or those people he / she wants. In this sense, and in the event of a possible theft of the vehicle, the thief is forced to refuel with his own money and not be able to use the vehicle's automatic payment system. The driver's communication with the device is carried out through a communication system (27) that can be hands-free with voice recognition, or a visual and tactile communication system through the display of the vehicle's own radio, or any another that is considered appropriate taking into account the type of vehicle in which the device is installed.

The information that the driver indicates is stored in the module (2), and is transmitted once he is at a certain distance from the dispenser (7) that has the module (3), so that it will be activated for the report. Once the operation is finished, the module (3) sends an SMS to the bank to charge the account, and at the same time, sends this confirmation to the module (2) so that it can communicate it to the driver.

Thus, for correct operation, the described automatic fuel payment device comprises at least:

An electronic module (2) intended to be coupled to a vehicle, associated with the vehicle's fuel level sensor (1), comprising a microcontroller (21), a memory card (25), a

ES 2 394 811 To the wireless communication system (26), GPS (24), GPRS (23), and a hands-free communication system (27), an electronic module (3) designed to be coupled to a source (7) of a service area, provided with a microcontroller (33) with connection to the electronic head of said dispenser (7) and a connection element (35) between them, and a memory card (31), a wireless communication system ( 32).

Both modules (2, 3) can have a battery for the power supply, but if possible, the module (2) will be directly connected to the vehicle's own battery while the module (3) will have the power supply provided by the jet itself (7).

As mentioned above, in a preferred embodiment, the communication system (27) can be a hands-free system with voice recognition, where the module (2) is associated with the vehicle's speakers (6) and a microphone (4) . In another embodiment, the communication system could be through data visualization, that is, manual data entry control through the radio steering wheel controls and visualization through the display or any other similar.

The procedure for automatic fuel payment includes the following stages:

a) The fuel level sensor (1), when it reaches a certain value, activates the module (2) installed inside the vehicle, so that the nearest service station is located,

b) the module (2) by means of the microcontroller (21) notifies the driver, through a communication system (27), about the need to refuel and about the service station located through the GPS (24), requesting a driver access code as a security measure,

c) the driver indicates the characteristics and amount of fuel to

ES 2 394 811 When refueling, and the module (2) confirms said data and stores it on the memory card (25) through the microcontroller (21),

d) when the modules (2, 3) are at a certain distance between them, the module (3) receives the information from the module (2) and activates the nozzle (7) to supply fuel according to the characteristics previously selected by driver,

e) once it has been refueled, the module (3) sends an SMS to the bank to charge the account, while simultaneously the module (3) sends a signal to the module (2) inside the vehicle to indicate to the driver Through the communication system (27) that the operation has been carried out correctly.

The module (2) locates the nearest service station through a microcontroller (21) associated with a GPRS (23) and a GPS (24), activating a communication system (27) with the driver. This communication system (27) with the driver may be a hands-free communication system with voice recognition associated with the vehicle's speakers (6) and a microphone (4).

Once the module (2) asks the driver and he answers the questions raised, all the information indicated by the driver is stored on a memory card (25) of said module (2), which will dump it, through the microcontroller (21) and a wireless communication system (26, 32) in each of the modules (2, 3), to a memory card (31) arranged in the module (3).

The dispenser (7) is activated through the microcontroller (33) and an intermediate connection element (35) between the microcontroller (33) and the electronic head of the dispenser (7), which interprets and executes the order of the microcontroller (33 ) from the memory card (31).

When the driver has refueled, the microcontroller (33) activates the

ES2 394 811 A1 communication system (27) to indicate to the driver that the operation has been carried out correctly, while sending an SMS to the bank to charge the account. This end-of-process information operation could be associated with starting the vehicle, the speedometer or any other that is considered appropriate.

In stage b) of the procedure, if the driver indicates that he does not want to refuel and still has enough fuel to get to the next service station, a new communication is possible ahead of said need, repeating stage b) until an affirmative answer. . The driver also has the possibility to indicate that he does not want to refuel and to deactivate the automatic system and activate the conventional system.