Patents by Inventor Rick Fadler
Rick Fadler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11274029Abstract: Described herein is a fuel authorization program that vehicles enrolled in the fuel authorization program to provide fuel tank sensor data in each fuel authorization request, so that an amount of fuel authorized will be limited to the amount needed to fill the vehicle's fuel tank, reducing a likelihood that fuel will be diverted. In at least some embodiments, the fuel authorization controller at the vehicle automatically uses the fuel tank sensor data and known tank size to include in a fuel authorization request sent to a fuel vendor data defining how much fuel is required to fill the vehicle fuel tanks. In at least some embodiments, the fuel vendor consults data from a source other than the vehicle (such as records maintained by the fuel authorization program) to determine how large the vehicles fuel tanks are, and to calculate how much fuel is required.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2017Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Zonar Systems, Inc.Inventors: Rick Fadler, Charles Michael McQuade, Michael Charles King
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Patent number: 10783730Abstract: A fuel authorization system enables data to be exchanged between vehicles and a fuel vendor, to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Each fuel island is equipped with a camera and a short range radio (RF) component. Participating vehicles are equipped with fuel authorization component including an IR transmitter and a RF component that can establish a data link with the fuel island's RF unit. When the camera senses a vehicle in the fuel lane, an RF query is sent to the vehicle. Participating vehicles respond with an IR transmission. An RF data link is then established between the enrolled vehicle and the fuel vendor to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Once the verification is complete, the fuel dispenser is enabled. In some embodiments, the IR data link is not required, as the camera can distinguish between multiple fuel lanes.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2019Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Zonar Systems, Inc.Inventors: Charles Michael McQuade, Rick Fadler
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Patent number: 10489998Abstract: A fuel authorization system enables data to be exchanged between vehicles and a fuel vendor, to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Each fuel island is equipped with a camera and a short range radio (RF) component. Participating vehicles are equipped with fuel authorization component including an IR transmitter and a RF component that can establish a data link with the fuel island's RF unit. When the camera senses a vehicle in the fuel lane, an RF query is sent to the vehicle. Participating vehicles respond with an IR transmission. An RF data link is then established between the enrolled vehicle and the fuel vendor to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Once the verification is complete, the fuel dispenser is enabled. In some embodiments, the IR data link is not required, as the camera can distinguish between multiple fuel lanes.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Charles Michael McQuade, Rick Fadler
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Publication number: 20190177151Abstract: Described herein is a fuel authorization program that vehicles enrolled in the fuel authorization program to provide fuel tank sensor data in each fuel authorization request, so that an amount of fuel authorized will be limited to the amount needed to fill the vehicle's fuel tank, reducing a likelihood that fuel will be diverted. In at least some embodiments, the fuel authorization controller at the vehicle automatically uses the fuel tank sensor data and known tank size to include in a fuel authorization request sent to a fuel vendor data defining how much fuel is required to fill the vehicle fuel tanks. In at least some embodiments, the fuel vendor consults data from a source other than the vehicle (such as records maintained by the fuel authorization program) to determine how large the vehicles fuel tanks are, and to calculate how much fuel is required.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2017Publication date: June 13, 2019Applicant: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: RICK FADLER, CHARLES MICHAEL MCQUADE, MICHAEL CHARLES KING
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Patent number: 10306189Abstract: A fuel authorization system enables data to be exchanged between vehicles and a gated facility, to verify that the vehicle is authorized to enter the facility. The gated facility is equipped with a camera and a short-range radio (RF) component. Participating vehicles are equipped with fuel authorization component including a RF component that can establish a data link with the gated facility's RF unit. When the camera senses a vehicle in the fuel lane, an RF query is sent to the vehicle. Participating vehicles respond with an action perceivable by the camera. An RF data link is then established between the enrolled vehicle and the gated facility to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Once the verification is complete, the fuel dispenser is enabled.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Michael Charles King, Rick Fadler, Charles Michael McQuade
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Publication number: 20190139340Abstract: A fuel authorization system enables data to be exchanged between vehicles and a fuel vendor, to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Each fuel island is equipped with a camera and a short range radio (RF) component. Participating vehicles are equipped with fuel authorization component including an IR transmitter and a RF component that can establish a data link with the fuel island's RF unit. When the camera senses a vehicle in the fuel lane, an RF query is sent to the vehicle. Participating vehicles respond with an IR transmission. An RF data link is then established between the enrolled vehicle and the fuel vendor to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Once the verification is complete, the fuel dispenser is enabled. In some embodiments, the IR data link is not required, as the camera can distinguish between multiple fuel lanes.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2019Publication date: May 9, 2019Applicant: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: CHARLES MICHAEL MCQUADE, RICK FADLER
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Publication number: 20180035083Abstract: A fuel authorization system enables data to be exchanged between vehicles and a gated facility, to verify that the vehicle is authorized to enter the facility. The gated facility is equipped with a camera and a short-range radio (RF) component. Participating vehicles are equipped with fuel authorization component including a RF component that can establish a data link with the gated facility's RF unit. When the camera senses a vehicle in the fuel lane, an RF query is sent to the vehicle. Participating vehicles respond with an action perceivable by the camera. An RF data link is then established between the enrolled vehicle and the gated facility to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Once the verification is complete, the fuel dispenser is enabled.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Applicant: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: MICHAEL CHARLES KING, RICK FADLER, CHARLES MICHAEL MCQUADE
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Patent number: 9881432Abstract: A fuel authorization system enables data to be exchanged between vehicles and a fuel vendor, to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Each fuel island is equipped with a camera and a short range radio (RF) component. Participating vehicles are equipped with fuel authorization component including an IR transmitter and a RF component that can establish a data link with the fuel island's RF unit. When the camera senses a vehicle in the fuel lane, an RF query is sent to the vehicle. Participating vehicles respond with an IR transmission. An RF data link is then established between the enrolled vehicle and the fuel vendor to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Once the verification is complete, the fuel dispenser is enabled. In some embodiments, the IR data link is not required, as the camera can distinguish between multiple fuel lanes.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Charles Michael McQuade, Rick Fadler
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Patent number: 9856129Abstract: Described herein is a fuel authorization program that vehicles enrolled in the fuel authorization program to provide fuel tank sensor data in each fuel authorization request, so that an amount of fuel authorized will be limited to the amount needed to fill the vehicle's fuel tank, reducing a likelihood that fuel will be diverted. In at least some embodiments, the fuel authorization controller at the vehicle automatically uses the fuel tank sensor data and known tank size to include in a fuel authorization request sent to a fuel vendor data defining how much fuel is required to fill the vehicle fuel tanks. In at least some embodiments, the fuel vendor consults data from a source other than the vehicle (such as records maintained by the fuel authorization program) to determine how large the vehicles fuel tanks are, and to calculate how much fuel is required.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Zonar Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael Charles King, Rick Fadler, Charles Michael McQuade
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Patent number: 9828233Abstract: Described herein is a fuel authorization program that vehicles enrolled in the fuel authorization program to provide fuel tank sensor data in each fuel authorization request, so that an amount of fuel authorized will be limited to the amount needed to fill the vehicle's fuel tank, reducing a likelihood that fuel will be diverted. In at least some embodiments, the fuel authorization controller at the vehicle automatically uses the fuel tank sensor data and known tank size to include in a fuel authorization request sent to a fuel vendor data defining how much fuel is required to fill the vehicle fuel tanks. In at least some embodiments, the fuel vendor consults data from a source other than the vehicle (such as records maintained by the fuel authorization program) to determine how large the vehicles fuel tanks are, and to calculate how much fuel is required.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Charles Michael McQuade, Rick Fadler
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Patent number: 9815681Abstract: Described herein is a fuel authorization program that requires data to be dynamically retrieved from a vehicle data bus during the fuel authorization process. This can be implemented using a smart cable that is installed in enrolled vehicles. The smart cable includes a housing suitable for commercial environments, a cable to logically couple the smart cable to the vehicle data bus, a second data link to be used to logically couple the smart cable to a fuel authorization “puck” in a vehicle, and a controller. The puck handles communication with the fuel vendor. The controller automatically implements the functions responding to a query from the puck received over the second data link by dynamically acquiring data from the vehicle data bus using the first data link, and conveying the data to the puck using the second data link.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Charles Michael McQuade, Rick Fadler
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Patent number: 9805538Abstract: A fuel authorization program based on equipping fuel station, fuel pumps, and vehicles with components to enable automatic fuel authorization for enrolled vehicles. The program includes fuel pumps including a pump transmitting sensor that automatically emits a pump ID. As a vehicle pulls in next to the pump a vehicle coupling receiving sensor detects the pump ID signal and a proximity link is created. The vehicle sensor passes the pump ID via hardwire or Bluetooth to vehicle fuel authorization processor (which can be part of a telematics device). The vehicle processor transmits the pump ID (and any fuel authorization credentials needed, such as a PIN or VIN) via WI-FI to a Station processor for fuel vendor authorization. If approved, the pump is enabled. As the vehicle moves away the coupling sensor link is broken and the vehicle transmits a “disconnect” message via Wi-Fi and the pump is disabled.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Charles Michael McQuade, Rick Fadler, Ryan Schoelerman
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Patent number: 9787950Abstract: A fuel authorization system enables data to be exchanged between vehicles and a fuel vendor, to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Each fuel island is equipped with a camera and a short range radio (RF) component. Participating vehicles are equipped with fuel authorization component including an IR transmitter and a RF component that can establish a data link with the fuel island's RF unit. When the camera senses a vehicle in the fuel lane, an RF query is sent to the vehicle. Participating vehicles respond with an IR transmission. An RF data link is then established between the enrolled vehicle and the fuel vendor to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Once the verification is complete, the fuel dispenser is enabled. In some embodiments, the IR data link is not required, as the camera can distinguish between multiple fuel lanes.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Michael Charles King, Rick Fadler, Charles Michael McQuade
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Publication number: 20170193502Abstract: A fuel authorization program based on equipping fuel station, fuel pumps, and vehicles with components to enable automatic fuel authorization for enrolled vehicles. The program includes fuel pumps including a pump transmitting sensor that automatically emits a pump ID. As a vehicle pulls in next to the pump a vehicle coupling receiving sensor detects the pump ID signal and a proximity link is created. The vehicle sensor passes the pump ID via hardwire or Bluetooth to vehicle fuel authorization processor (which can be part of a telematics device). The vehicle processor transmits the pump ID (and any fuel authorization credentials needed, such as a PIN or VIN) via WI-FI to a Station processor for fuel vendor authorization. If approved, the pump is enabled. As the vehicle moves away the coupling sensor link is broken and the vehicle transmits a “disconnect” message via Wi-Fi and the pump is disabled.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2016Publication date: July 6, 2017Applicant: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: CHARLES MICHAEL MCQUADE, RICK FADLER, RYAN SCHOELERMAN
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Patent number: 9607464Abstract: A fuel authorization program based on equipping fuel station, fuel pumps, and vehicles with components to enable automatic fuel authorization for enrolled vehicles. The program includes fuel pumps including a pump transmitting sensor that automatically emits a pump ID. As a vehicle pulls in next to the pump a vehicle coupling receiving sensor detects the pump ID signal and a proximity link is created. The vehicle sensor passes the pump ID via hardwire or Bluetooth to vehicle fuel authorization processor (which can be part of a telematics device). The vehicle processor transmits the pump ID (and any fuel authorization credentials needed, such as a PIN or VIN) via WI-FI to a Station processor for fuel vendor authorization. If approved, the pump is enabled. As the vehicle moves away the coupling sensor link is broken and the vehicle transmits a “disconnect” message via Wi-Fi and the pump is disabled.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Charles Michael McQuade, Rick Fadler, Ryan Schoelerman
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Publication number: 20170069152Abstract: A fuel authorization system enables data to be exchanged between vehicles and a fuel vendor, to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Each fuel island is equipped with a camera and a short range radio (RF) component. Participating vehicles are equipped with fuel authorization component including an IR transmitter and a RF component that can establish a data link with the fuel island's RF unit. When the camera senses a vehicle in the fuel lane, an RF query is sent to the vehicle. Participating vehicles respond with an IR transmission. An RF data link is then established between the enrolled vehicle and the fuel vendor to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Once the verification is complete, the fuel dispenser is enabled. In some embodiments, the IR data link is not required, as the camera can distinguish between multiple fuel lanes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Applicant: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: CHARLES MICHAEL MCQUADE, RICK FADLER
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Publication number: 20140327778Abstract: A fuel authorization system enables data to be exchanged between vehicles and a fuel vendor, to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Each fuel island is equipped with a camera and a short range radio (RF) component. Participating vehicles are equipped with fuel authorization component including an IR transmitter and a RF component that can establish a data link with the fuel island's RF unit. When the camera senses a vehicle in the fuel lane, an RF query is sent to the vehicle. Participating vehicles respond with an IR transmission. An RF data link is then established between the enrolled vehicle and the fuel vendor to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Once the verification is complete, the fuel dispenser is enabled. In some embodiments, the IR data link is not required, as the camera can distinguish between multiple fuel lanes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: CHARLES MICHAEL MCQUADE, RICK FADLER
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Publication number: 20140279535Abstract: An automated fuel authorization system equips refrigerated trailers with a reefer tag that implements the function of tracking run time data for a compressor in the refrigerated trailer that is responsible for refrigeration. The reefer tag automatically sends the run time data to a fuel vendor as part of an automated fuel authorization request. Based on the run time data, a known fuel tank size, and a normal fuel consumption rate for the compressor, the fuel vendor automatically determines an amount of fuel to authorize for dispensing into the fuel tank at the refrigerated trailer. If the fuel authorization request is approved, the fuel vendor automatically authorizes a fuel transaction for the amount of fuel so determined. An exemplary reefer tag includes a radio frequency data link for sharing the run time data. No run time data will be shared if the trailer is not coupled to a tractor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventor: RICK FADLER
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Publication number: 20140267741Abstract: A fuel authorization system enables data to be exchanged between vehicles and a fuel vendor, to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Each fuel island is equipped with a camera and a short range radio (RF) component. Participating vehicles are equipped with fuel authorization component including an IR transmitter and a RF component that can establish a data link with the fuel island's RF unit. When the camera senses a vehicle in the fuel lane, an RF query is sent to the vehicle. Participating vehicles respond with an IR transmission. An RF data link is then established between the enrolled vehicle and the fuel vendor to verify that the vehicle is authorized to receive fuel. Once the verification is complete, the fuel dispenser is enabled. In some embodiments, the IR data link is not required, as the camera can distinguish between multiple fuel lanes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: MICHAEL CHARLES KING, RICK FADLER, CHARLES MICHAEL MCQUADE
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Publication number: 20140263629Abstract: A fuel authorization program based on equipping fuel station, fuel pumps, and vehicles with components to enable automatic fuel authorization for enrolled vehicles. The program includes fuel pumps including a pump transmitting sensor that automatically emits a pump ID. As a vehicle pulls in next to the pump a vehicle coupling receiving sensor detects the pump ID signal and a proximity link is created. The vehicle sensor passes the pump ID via hardwire or Bluetooth to vehicle fuel authorization processor (which can be part of a telematics device). The vehicle processor transmits the pump ID (and any fuel authorization credentials needed, such as a PIN or VIN) via WI-FI to a Station processor for fuel vendor authorization. If approved, the pump is enabled. As the vehicle moves away the coupling sensor link is broken and the vehicle transmits a “disconnect” message via Wi-Fi and the pump is disabled.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: ZONAR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: CHARLES MICHAEL MCQUADE, RICK FADLER, RYAN SCHOELERMAN