Granted Patent B2

US 12,630,413 · App. 17/813,560 · Granted May 19, 2026

Inventors: Boonchai Matthew Ragan (Lewisville, TX); Sravan Kumar Ayyappa Akula (Aubrey, TX); Joshua Michael Rothenberg (Dallas, TX); Jake Ylli Hoxha (Farmers Branch, TX); Deviprasad Mulluru (Flower Mound, TX); Srikanth Gandra (Frisco, TX); Scott Albert (Dallas, TX); Srikanth Subramanian (Allen, TX)

Assignee: 7-Eleven, Inc.

B67D7/221B67D7/085B67D7/14B67D7/16B67D7/302B67D7/34G05D7/0629

Abstract

Claims (108)

1 . A system comprising:

a memory configured to store a threshold volume per unit time parameter associated with fuel to be dispensed from a fuel dispensing terminal during a fuel dispensing operation, wherein the threshold volume per unit time parameter is configurable; and

a processor operably coupled with the memory, and configured to:

determine that a fuel dispensing operation is anomalous after completion of the fuel dispensing operation, wherein determining that fuel dispensing operation is anomalous after the completion of the fuel dispensing operation comprises:

determining an interaction period during which the fuel dispensing operation is performed at the fuel dispensing terminal;

determining a volume of fuel dispensed from the fuel dispensing terminal during the interaction period;

determining a measured volume per unit time parameter associated with fuel dispensed from the fuel dispensing terminal by dividing the determined volume of fuel by the interaction period;

comparing the measured volume per unit time parameter with the threshold volume per unit time parameter; and

determining that the measured volume per unit time parameter is less than the threshold volume per unit time parameter, wherein the measured volume per unit time parameter being less than the threshold volume per unit time parameter indicates that the fuel dispensing terminal is manipulated to dispense fuel at a flow rate lower than an expected flow rate;

in response to determining that the fuel dispensing operation is anomalous, deploy computer resources configured to determine a subsequent anomalous fuel dispensing operation before completion of the subsequent anomalous fuel dispensing operation.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to determining that the measured volume per unit time parameter is less than the threshold volume per unit time parameter:

determine a first volume of fuel available at the fuel dispensing terminal before the interaction period started;

determine a second volume of fuel available at the fuel dispensing terminal after the interaction period is completed;

determine a difference between the first volume of fuel and the second volume of fuel, wherein the difference between the first volume of fuel and the second volume of fuel indicates an amount of fuel dispensed;

create a file associated with the fuel dispensing operation; and

store the difference between the first volume of fuel and the second volume of fuel in the created file.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

retrieve user information associated with the fuel dispensing operation, wherein:

the user information is retrieved from a data card used in conjunction with initiating the fuel dispensing operation; and

the user information comprises at least one of a name, an address, or a number associated with a user;

create a file associated with the fuel dispensing operation; and

store the user information in the created file.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine vehicle information from a video feed, wherein the vehicle information comprises at least one of a plate number or a model of a vehicle in a space where fuel is dispensed during the fuel dispensing operation;

create a file associated with the fuel dispensing operation; and

store the vehicle information in the created file.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine an average volume per unit time parameter associated with fuel dispensed from the fuel dispensing terminal in a plurality of previous fuel dispensing operations;

compare the average volume per unit time parameter with the measured volume per unit time parameter;

determine that the average volume per unit time parameter exceeds the measured volume per unit time parameter by at least a threshold value; and

in response to determining that the average volume per unit time parameter exceeds the measured volume per unit time parameter by at least the threshold value, determine that the fuel dispensing operation is associated with an anomaly that indicates a discrepancy between the measured volume per unit time parameter and the threshold volume per unit time parameter.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to, prior to determining the measured volume per unit time parameter, wait for a particular time period.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein determining the anomalous fuel dispensing operations before completion of the anomalous fuel dispensing operations comprises determining that a particular fuel dispensing operation is anomalous before completion of the particular fuel dispensing operation, determining that the particular dispensing operation is anomalous before completion of the particular fuel dispensing operation comprises:

performing the following operations at each predetermined interval from among a plurality of predetermined intervals within a threshold wait period that is predetermined to be before the particular fuel dispensing operation is completed:

determining an identifier value associated with the volume of fuel dispensed from a particular fuel dispensing terminal associated with the particular fuel dispensing operation;

determining a second measured volume per unit time parameter associated with fuel dispensed from the particular fuel dispensing terminal by dividing the determined identifier value by a unit parameter;

comparing the second measured volume per unit time parameter with the threshold volume per unit time parameter; and

determining that the measured volume per unit time parameter is less than the threshold volume per unit time parameter.

8 . A method comprising:

determining that a fuel dispensing operation is anomalous after completion of the fuel dispensing operation, wherein determining that fuel dispensing operation is anomalous after the completion of the fuel dispensing operation comprises:

determining an interaction period during which a fuel dispensing operation is performed at a fuel dispensing terminal;

determining a volume of fuel dispensed from the fuel dispensing terminal during the interaction period;

determining a measured volume per unit time parameter associated with fuel dispensed from the fuel dispensing terminal by dividing the determined volume of fuel by the interaction period;

comparing the measured volume per unit time parameter with a threshold volume per unit time parameter, wherein:

the threshold volume per unit time parameter associated with fuel to be dispensed from the fuel dispensing terminal during the fuel dispensing operation; and

the threshold volume per unit time parameter is configurable; and

determining that the measured volume per unit time parameter is less than the threshold volume per unit time parameter, wherein the measured volume per unit time parameter being less than the threshold volume per unit time parameter indicates that the fuel dispensing terminal is manipulated to dispense fuel at a flow rate lower than an expected flow rate;

in response to determining that the fuel dispensing operation is anomalous, deploy computer resources configured to determine a subsequent anomalous fuel dispensing operation before completion of the anomalous fuel dispensing operation.

9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising, in response to determining that the measured volume per unit time parameter is less than the threshold volume per unit time parameter:

determining a first volume of fuel available at the fuel dispensing terminal before the interaction period started;

determining a second volume of fuel available at the fuel dispensing terminal after the interaction period is completed;

determining a difference between the first volume of fuel and the second volume of fuel, wherein the difference between the first volume of fuel and the second volume of fuel indicates an amount of fuel dispensed;

creating a file associated with the fuel dispensing operation; and

storing the difference between the first volume of fuel and the second volume of fuel in the created file.

10 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

retrieving user information associated with the fuel dispensing operation, wherein:

the user information is retrieved from a data card used in conjunction with initiating the fuel dispensing operation; and

the user information comprises at least one of a name, an address, or a number associated with a user;

creating a file associated with the fuel dispensing operation; and

storing the user information in the created file.

11 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

determining vehicle information from a video feed, wherein the vehicle information comprises at least one of a plate number or a model of a vehicle in a space where fuel is dispensed during the fuel dispensing operation;

creating a file associated with the fuel dispensing operation; and

storing the vehicle information in the created file.

12 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

determining an average volume per unit time parameter associated with fuel dispensed from the fuel dispensing terminal in a plurality of previous fuel dispensing operations;

comparing the average volume per unit time parameter with the measured volume per unit time parameter;

determining that the average volume per unit time parameter exceeds the measured volume per unit time parameter by at least a threshold value; and

in response to determining that the average volume per unit time parameter exceeds the measured volume per unit time parameter by at least the threshold value, determining that the fuel dispensing operation is associated with an anomaly that indicates a discrepancy between the measured volume per unit time parameter and the threshold volume per unit time parameter.

13 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising, prior to determining the measured volume per unit time parameter, waiting for a particular time period.

14 . The method of claim 8 , wherein determining the anomalous fuel dispensing operations before completion of the anomalous fuel dispensing operations comprises determining that a particular fuel dispensing operation is anomalous before completion of the particular fuel dispensing operation, determining that the particular dispensing operation is anomalous before completion of the particular fuel dispensing operation comprises:

performing the following operations at each predetermined interval from among a plurality of predetermined intervals within a threshold wait period that is predetermined to be before the particular fuel dispensing operation is completed:

determining an identifier value associated with the volume of fuel dispensed from a particular fuel dispensing terminal associated with the particular fuel dispensing operation;

determining a second measured volume per unit time parameter associated with fuel dispensed from the particular fuel dispensing terminal by dividing the determined identifier value by a unit parameter;

comparing the second measured volume per unit time parameter with the threshold volume per unit time parameter; and

determining that the measured volume per unit time parameter is less than the threshold volume per unit time parameter.

15 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

determine that a fuel dispensing operation is anomalous after completion of the fuel dispensing operation, wherein determining that fuel dispensing operation is anomalous after the completion of the fuel dispensing operation comprises:

determining an interaction period during which a fuel dispensing operation is performed at a fuel dispensing terminal;

determining a volume of fuel dispensed from the fuel dispensing terminal during the interaction period;

determining a measured volume per unit time parameter associated with fuel dispensed from the fuel dispensing terminal by dividing the determined volume of fuel by the interaction period;

comparing the measured volume per unit time parameter with a threshold volume per unit time parameter, wherein:

the threshold volume per unit time parameter associated with fuel to be dispensed from the fuel dispensing terminal during the fuel dispensing operation; and

the threshold volume per unit time parameter is configurable; and

determining that the measured volume per unit time parameter is less than the threshold volume per unit time parameter, wherein the measured volume per unit time parameter being less than the threshold volume per unit time parameter indicates that the fuel dispensing terminal is manipulated to dispense fuel at a flow rate lower than an expected flow rate;

in response to determining that the fuel dispensing operation is anomalous, deploy computer resources configured to determine a subsequent anomalous fuel dispensing operation before completion of the anomalous fuel dispensing operation.

16 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the instructions when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors, in response to determining that the measured volume per unit time parameter is less than the threshold volume per unit time parameter to:

determine a first volume of fuel available at the fuel dispensing terminal before the interaction period started;

determine a second volume of fuel available at the fuel dispensing terminal after the interaction period is completed;

determine a difference between the first volume of fuel and the second volume of fuel, wherein the difference between the first volume of fuel and the second volume of fuel indicates an amount of fuel dispensed;

create a file associated with the fuel dispensing operation; and

store the difference between the first volume of fuel and the second volume of fuel in the created file.

17 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the instructions when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to:

retrieve user information associated with the fuel dispensing operation, wherein:

the user information is retrieved from a data card used in conjunction with initiating the fuel dispensing operation; and

the user information comprises at least one of a name, an address, or a number associated with a user;

create a file associated with the fuel dispensing operation; and

store the user information in the created file.

18 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the instructions when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to:

determine vehicle information from a video feed, wherein the vehicle information comprises at least one of a plate number or a model of a vehicle in a space where fuel is dispensed during the fuel dispensing operation;

create a file associated with the fuel dispensing operation; and

store the vehicle information in the created file.

19 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the instructions when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to:

determine an average volume per unit time parameter associated with fuel dispensed from the fuel dispensing terminal in a plurality of previous fuel dispensing operations;

compare the average volume per unit time parameter with the measured volume per unit time parameter;

determine that the average volume per unit time parameter exceeds the measured volume per unit time parameter by at least a threshold value; and

in response to determining that the average volume per unit time parameter exceeds the measured volume per unit time parameter by at least the threshold value, determine that the fuel dispensing operation is associated with an anomaly that indicates a discrepancy between the measured volume per unit time parameter and the threshold volume per unit time parameter.

20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the instructions when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to, prior to determining the measured volume per unit time parameter, wait for a particular time period.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (328)