Vehicle detection system using RFID tags
A fuel dispensing installation employs multiple fuel islands with fuel dispensers and multiple fuel/travel lanes. The installation employs a communication/controller system for automatically identifying a vehicle, and upon authorizing the vehicle, allowing fuel to be dispensed to said vehicle, determining the quantity of fuel dispensed to the vehicle and securing the dispenser when the vehicle leaves a detection zone. The detection system employs RFID tags placed at both the driver side and the passenger side of the vehicle. Generally oppositely oriented antennas define a detection zone for each of the lanes. A light indicates whether the vehicle is authorized for receiving fuel.
1. A method for automatically validating authorization for fuel dispensing from a fuel dispenser of a vehicle having a driver side and a passenger side comprising:
encoding a first RFID tag with data concerning the vehicle ID and a driver side indicator;
encoding a second RFID tag with data concerning the vehicle ID and a passenger side indicator;
mounting said first RFID tag to the driver side of the vehicle;
mounting said second RFID tag to the passenger side of the vehicle;
generating a first detection zone in a first lane from a location remote from said fuel dispenser;
generating a second detection zone in a second lane from a location remote from said fuel dispenser;
positioning said vehicle in a first or a second detection zone for a pre-established time interval;
transmitting data from an RFID tag of said vehicle;
processing data which meets a pre-established power strength threshold for said pre-established time interval to determine whether or not the vehicle is authorized.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating a signal to allow fuel to be dispensed from a fuel dispenser.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising generating a termination signal to terminate dispensing of fuel when a predetermined fuel quantity has been dispensed.
4. The method of claim 2 further comprising generating a control signal to secure the fuel dispenser when the vehicle leaves the detection zone.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically recording the amount of fuel dispensed.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating a light indicative that the vehicle is within a detection zone.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating a distinctive authorization light signal indicative that the vehicle is authorized.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein said data comprises vehicle fuel type, a customer code and a site code for the vehicle.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically terminating the dispensing of fuel to an authorized vehicle when one of each of the following is satisfied: the maximum authorized fuel amount for the vehicle is exceeded, and a pre-established time is exceeded after the fueling has stopped and a pre-established time for loss of detection of the authorized RFID tag.
10. A method for automatically validating authorization for receiving fuel at a multi-lane fuel dispensing installation for a vehicle having a driver side RFID tag and a passenger side RFID tag comprising:
positioning the vehicle in a driver lane adjacent a fuel island having a fuel dispenser for a pre-established time interval;
generating from a location remote from said fuel dispenser a valid detection zone which intersects only a driver side RFID tag or a passenger side RFID tag;
transmitting data from a said RFID tag in said valid detection zone; and
processing data which meets a pre-established power strength threshold for said pre-established time interval to determine whether or not the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising generating a signal to allow fuel to be dispensed from a fuel dispenser.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising generating a signal to determine the amount of fuel dispensed and the identity of the vehicle.
13. The method of claim 10 further comprising generating a control signal to secure the fuel dispenser when the vehicle leaves the detection zone.