Abstract: A fuel inlet monitoring system comprising at least one remote recognizer device and at least one processing application, wherein the at least one remote recognizer device collects data regarding a fuel delivery nozzle and a vehicle fuel tank inlet and the processing application analyzes information created by the at least one recognizer device to generate at least one signal upon detecting at least one of the fuel delivery nozzle not inserted inside the vehicle fuel tank inlet and the fuel delivery nozzle inserted inside the fuel tank inlet of the vehicle.

Abstract: An RFID tag comprising an antenna assembly, including a shielding layer comprising an electromagnetic shielding material, a radio frequency loop antenna, and a spacer comprising a spacer material having a permittivity less than about 2 interposed between the antenna and the shielding layer is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing such an RFID tag. Also disclosed is the use of such an RFID tag for use in identifying a vehicle, for example in the context of fuel-purchase authorization.

Abstract: Disclosed are antenna assemblies suitable for establishing wireless communication with entities that have variable or indeterminate antenna orientation, especially entities having a limited power supply, the antenna assemblies comprising two linearly polarized reception antennae (18, 20) positioned so that the orientation of the antennae define a plane. Disclosed are also service station provided with such an antenna assembly. Disclosed are also methods of establishing wireless communication in a service station between a service station controller and entities that have variable or indeterminate antenna orientation, especially entities having a limited power supply.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for authorizing purchases associated with a vehicle for example at a service station, the system including an identification tag associated with the vehicle, a data storage device associated with the vehicle for storing vehicular data, at least one tag reader configured to read and transmit data from the identification tag and a station relay unit configured to receive the transmitted and to transmit an authorization signal. Disclosed is also a method of authorizing a purchase associated with a vehicle, for example at a service station, comprising associating with a first identifier and a second identifier with a vehicle, when requested to authorize a purchase associated with said vehicle, acquiring the first identifier and the second identifier, determining that the acquired first and second identifiers are correctly associated and if the first acquired identifier and said second acquired identifier are associated, authorizing the purchase.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for dispensing a liquid fuel into the inlet of a vehicle fuel tank by means of a fuel dispensing pump including metering means for measuring the quantity of liquid fuel dispensed, and a nozzle carrying a wireless transponder device for interrogating an RFID carried by the respective vehicle to enable identification of the respective vehicle; characterized in that the fuel inlet of the respective vehicle fuel tank carries said RFID to be interrogated by the transponder of the nozzle, when inserted into said inlet, to receive the identification of the respective vehicle, said RFID on the vehicle transmits to the transponder on the nozzle the identification of the respective vehicle; and said apparatus further includes a data processor for processing the identification of the respective vehicle receiving the measured quantity of liquid fuel to provide information concerning the operation of the respective vehicle.

Abstract: Various devices are useful as components of a system for authorizing purchases associated with a vehicle that are generally simple to install, operate and maintain and are generally resistant to abuse. The devices include theft-resistant vehicular identification tags, sealed identification tag reader and variable range tag-readers.

Abstract: An RFID tag comprising an antenna assembly, including a shielding layer comprising an electromagnetic shielding material, a radio frequency loop antenna, and a spacer comprising a spacer material having a permittivity less than about 2 interposed between the antenna and the shielding layer is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing such an RFID tag. Also disclosed is the use of such an RFID tag for use in identifying a vehicle, for example in the context of fuel-purchase authorization.

Abstract: Disclosed are antenna assemblies suitable for establishing wireless communication with entities that have variable or indeterminate antenna orientation, especially entities having a limited power supply, the antenna assemblies comprising two linearly polarized reception antennae (18, 20) positioned so that the orientation of the antennae define a plane. Disclosed are also service station provided with such an antenna assembly. Disclosed are also methods of establishing wireless communication in a service station between a service station controller and entities that have variable or indeterminate antenna orientation, especially entities having a limited power supply.

Abstract: Disclosed are various devices useful as components of a system for authorizing purchases associated with a vehicle that are generally simple to install, operate and maintain and are generally resistant to abuse. Devices disclosed include an identification vehicle identification tag reader with a loop-shaped antenna.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for authorizing purchases associated with a vehicle for example at a service station, the system including an identification tag associated with the vehicle, a data storage device associated with the vehicle for storing vehicular data, at least one tag reader configured to read and transmit data from the identification tag and a station relay unit configured to receive the transmitted and to transmit an authorization signal. Disclosed is also a method of authorizing a purchase associated with a vehicle, for example at a service station, comprising associating with a first identifier and a second identifier with a vehicle, when requested to authorize a purchase associated with said vehicle, acquiring the first identifier and the second identifier, determining that the acquired first and second identifiers are correctly associated and if the first acquired identifier and said second acquired identifier are associated, authorizing the purchase.

Abstract: Disclosed are various devices useful as components of a system for authorizing purchases associated with a vehicle that are generally simple to install, operate and maintain and are generally resistant to abuse. Devices disclosed include theft-resistant vehicular identification tags, sealed identification tag reader and variable range tag-readers.