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 retail fueling environment comprising:
a plurality of fuel dispensers located in a forecourt area of said fueling environment;
a central controller operative to communicate with a remote payment authorization system to authorize payment of fueling transactions;
said fuel dispensers and said central controller having a respective wireless communication device associated therewith such that said fuel dispensers can communicate with said central controller via wireless transmission;
each of said wireless communication devices implementing a middleware program such that said wireless communication devices serve as nodes in a wireless mesh network, wherein communication between said fuel dispensers and said central controller can occur via alternative transmission paths depending on current conditions in the fueling environment; and
wherein each of said fuel dispensers utilizes a legacy communication protocol, said wireless communication device further implementing a conversion program that allows communication between said legacy communication protocol and said middleware program.
2. A retail fueling environment as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one fuel storage tank in said retail fueling environment having a fuel level sensor associated therewith;
a further wireless communication device associated with said fuel level sensor, said further wireless communication device also serving as one of said nodes in said wireless mesh network.
3. A retail fueling environment as set forth in claim 2 , further comprising at least one of a vending machine and a surveillance camera in said fueling environment, said at least one of said vending machine and said surveillance camera having a respective wireless communication device also serving as one of said nodes in said wireless mesh network.
4. A retail fueling environment as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising at least one wireless communication device situated in said fueling environment but not associated with a forecourt component, said additional wireless communication device serving as a repeater node in said wireless mesh network.
5. A retail fueling environment as set forth in claim 1 , wherein communications within said wireless mesh network are encrypted.
6. A retail fueling environment as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a handheld device utilized by an attendant in said fueling environment to control fueling transactions.
7. A retail fueling environment as set forth in claim 6 , wherein said handheld device includes a local wireless communications device in its housing that functions as a node in said wireless mesh network.
8. A retail fueling environment as set forth in claim 6 , wherein each of said fuel dispensers has an RFID tag associated therewith, said handheld device incorporating an RFID reader.
9. A retail fueling environment as set forth in claim 6 , wherein said handheld device has a touchscreen on which a graphical user interface is displayed for use by said attendant.
10. A retail fueling environment as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said fuel dispensers each have a user interface that allows for payment of said fueling transactions at said fuel dispensers.
11. A retail fueling environment as set forth in claim 10 , wherein said user interface includes a card reader.
12. A retail fueling environment as set forth in claim 11 , wherein said user interface includes a numeric pad.
13. 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 and said wireless communication circuitry implements a conversion program that allows communication between a legacy communication protocol and said middleware program.
14. A handheld device as set forth in claim 13 , 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.
15. A handheld device as set forth in claim 14 , further comprising an RFID reader for reading an RFID associated with said at least one fuel dispenser.
16. A handheld device as set forth in claim 14 , wherein real-time fueling information is shown on said touchscreen display during a fueling transaction at said fuel dispenser.