FUELING ENVIRONMENT WIRELESS ARCHITECTURE
A method and system for transmitting data between devices within a fueling environment comprising a wireless mesh network wherein the devices are configured to communicate via the wireless mesh network. A wireless communication device is connected to each device, and a middleware executed by the wireless communication device handles communications between the devices and the wireless mesh network.
1 . A handheld device for use in a retail fueling environment, said handheld device comprising:
a housing;
a touchscreen display;
circuitry located within said housing, said circuitry including a processor implementing a graphical user interface on said touchscreen display; and
said circuitry further including wireless communication circuitry implementing a middleware program such that said handheld device functions as a node in a wireless mesh network in said retail fueling environment.
2 . A handheld device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said processor allows said handheld device to control operation of at least one fuel dispenser in said retail fueling environment via said wireless mesh network.
3 . A handheld device as set forth in claim 2 , further comprising an RFID reader for reading an RFID associated with said at least one fuel dispenser.
4 . A handheld device as set forth in claim 2 , wherein real-time fueling information is shown on said touchscreen display during a fueling transaction at said fuel dispenser.