Abstract: A virtualized transaction terminal platform is provided. A transaction terminal is configured as a thin-client terminal. A virtualized transaction terminal (Virtual Machine (VM)) is instantiated remotely on a cloud or a server over a network connection. Peripherals connected to the thin-client terminal are mapped to virtual peripheral device drivers on the cloud or the server. Physical peripherals connected to the thin-client terminal are mapped inside the VM to the corresponding virtual peripheral device drivers. As transactions are initiated and physical peripherals are operated at the thin-client terminal, the transactions are processed by the VM and inputs/outputs from the physical peripherals are forwarded for processing by the corresponding virtual peripheral device drivers. A remote desktop (RD) agent on the thin-client terminal keeps states of the VM and virtual peripheral device drivers in synchronization with a peripheral display of the thin-client terminal.

Abstract: A fuel distribution system includes a fuel intake in communication with at least one fuel source that delivers a fuel through a fuel path. A filtering mechanism is positioned within the fuel path. A surge tank operates to maintain a minimum fluid pressure within the fuel path. A fuel manifold selectively delivers the fuel to a plurality of external fuel couplings. A flow meter monitors a flow of the fuel through the fuel manifold. The plurality of external fuel couplings are configured to contemporaneously deliver the fuel at a consistent flow rate.

Abstract: A transaction appliance is located within a retail fueling station environment. Presence of a consumer vehicle at a fuel dispenser is detected and the transaction appliance transmits a transaction trigger to a transaction server located remotely outside the retail fueling station environment. The transaction server responsively invokes personalized consumer data associated with the transaction trigger including advertising and promotions for purchasing products and services from a vendor. The personalized transaction data is provided to the consumer by way of the transaction appliance and a fuel dispenser user interface during the time the consumer is dispensing fuel.

Abstract: According to aspects, hydrogen fueling systems and methods are provided, including vehicle-to-vehicle communication techniques, hydrogen cooling techniques and/or hydrogen dispenser control techniques that facilitate improving aspects of a hydrogen fueling station.

Abstract: In some configurations, a supply-chain characteristic-vectors merchandising system and a method for an environmental characteristic-vectors of a gas communicating from an upstream amenity to a downstream amenity in a supply-chain may be disclosed. The system may be configured to track oil and/or gas throughout the supply-chain by associating characteristic-vectors (e.g., environmental, operational, physical etc.) of the upstream amenity and the downstream amenity with the energy units of the gas transmitted through the supply-chain.

Abstract: Various methods, systems, and device are provided for facilitating communication between a fuel dispenser and a forecourt controller. In some embodiments, the methods, systems, and devices allow data to be combined and compressed for transmission through a reduced number of data connections, and then decompressed for transmission to the forecourt controller or components of the fuel dispenser. In certain exemplary embodiments, the compressing and decompressing can be performed by one or more signal combiners at the forecourt controller and the fuel dispenser.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to controlling operation of service devices.

Abstract: A security device for a fuel dispenser includes a stepping relay having contacts arranged in series between a source of power and a fuel pump such that when the contacts are open, no fuel can be dispensed. The stepping relay is triggered by one or more door interlock switches that are powered by the fuel pump side of the contacts such that, when an access door is opened, the relay is triggered and the door interlock switches are no longer powered, hence, disabled. Therefore, a reset switch that is constantly powered is interfaced to trigger the stepping relay to close the contacts and allow fuel to be dispensed. Preferably, the reset switch is either remotely located or has a security feature.

Abstract: A cassette housing for rebalancing bills among storage cassettes is disclosed. The cassette housing is fixedly and operably coupled to a transaction device and includes docking apparatus structured to receive a first storage cassette and a second storage cassette, a transport apparatus operatively coupled to the docking apparatuses and a housing computing system. The transport apparatus is structured to facilitate transferring the bills among the storage cassettes. The housing computing system is structured to generate a first storage data packet and a second storage data packet associated with the first storage cassette and the second storage cassette, respectively. A rebalancing instruction may be generated by a remote computing system based on the first storage data packet and the second storage data packet. The cassette housing is structured to cause the transport apparatus to transport bills based on a rebalancing instruction.

Abstract: A transaction appliance is located within a retail fueling station environment. Presence of a consumer vehicle at a fuel dispenser is detected and the transaction appliance transmits a transaction trigger to a transaction server located remotely outside the retail fueling station environment. The transaction server responsively invokes personalized consumer data associated with the transaction trigger including advertising and promotions for purchasing products and services from a vendor. The personalized transaction data is provided to the consumer by way of the transaction appliance and a fuel dispenser user interface during the time the consumer is dispensing fuel.

Abstract: The subject matter discloses method, the method comprises: receiving a request for fueling of a vehicle in a site; receiving a capture of the vehicle; if location of the vehicle detected from the capture is within a certain powering area of the site then: retrieving from a data repository an identification of a pump associated with the powering area; and instructing a computing device controlling the pump to start the fueling.

Abstract: A refueling system has a fuel tank, a sealing member, a camera, and a controller. The fuel tank includes a main chamber. The sealing member is disposed between the main chamber and the atmosphere. The sealing member is configured to selectively move between a first position in which the fluid communication between the fuel tank and atmosphere is allowed and a second position in which fluid communication with atmosphere is inhibited. The camera is configured to retrieve an image of a fuel source within a predetermined proximity of the fuel tank. The controller is configured to actuate the sealing member in response to an evaluation of the image determining that fuel from the fuel source is consumable with the fuel tank.

Abstract: A fluid-distribution assembly has controllable components. The fluid-distribution assembly also has a vehicle-fuelling connection configured to be selectively connectable to a first compressed-natural-gas tank of a first compressed-natural-gas-powered vehicle. The fluid-distribution assembly also has a fuel-storage connection configured to be selectively connectable to a fuel storage assembly. The fluid-distribution assembly is configured to be electrically connected to a controller assembly. The controller assembly is configured to monitor and control operations of the controllable components of the fluid-distribution assembly. The controllable components of the fluid-distribution assembly are configured to selectively distribute, under control by way of the controller assembly, a fluid flow of a compressed natural gas between the first compressed-natural-gas tank and the fuel storage assembly.

Abstract: In general, intelligent fuel dispensers are provided. In at least some implementations, an intelligent fuel dispenser can determine customer identities and/or other characteristics and provide customized fueling sessions based on the determined customer identities and/or other characteristics. In at least some implementations, the fuel dispenser includes a touchless interface allowing customers to complete fueling sessions with minimal physical contact with the fuel dispenser.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic payment method and to an electronic payment system. A central server generates a secret number based on a payment card number. The central server associates the secret number with a transaction. A copy of the association between the secret number and the transaction is stored at a remote terminal. An access is detected at the remote terminal by acquiring the payment card number at the remote terminal. The remote terminal generates an identifier based on the payment card number. The remote terminal verifies whether the identifier matches the secret number. When the identifier matches the secret number, the remote terminal determines whether a provision of a product or service offered at the remote terminal is authorized based on a content of the transaction.

Abstract: A central monitoring and measurement system is described. A central user interface system for generation of a plurality of user-desired information based upon a plurality of measured data, the central user interface system may include a receiver system configured to receive wirelessly the plurality of measured data from a plurality of external sensor systems. An input/output system may be configured to provide output data to a display screen, receive input data from the display device, and provide output data to a processing system. The processing system may be configured to process the plurality of measured data from the plurality of external sensor systems into the plurality of user-desired information. Each external sensor system may include a transmission system configured to transmit wirelessly measured data to the central user interface system, and a measurement system configured to determine the measured data associated with an external device.

Abstract: A fleet management system includes a request component that receives one or more service requests and analyzes a first service request to identify a plurality of request parameters, a fuel component that identifies one or more fuel parameters associated with the fuel types, an evaluation component that analyzes a plurality of service parameters in light of the request parameters and the fuel parameters to determine a plurality of operating costs for managing the first service request, and a service component that analyzes the operating costs to select a first vehicle type corresponding to one of the operating costs for managing the first service request. The fleet management system enables a fleet of vehicles using a plurality of fuel types to be effectively and efficiently managed.

Abstract: Implementations of this specification provide a system and method for performing transfer operations based on a blockchain smart contract. An example method includes: determining, by a transferor client device, a transferee account, a transfer amount, and at least one expense asset, and constructing and submitting a transfer transaction to a blockchain network. The transfer transaction is verified by the blockchain network through a smart contract, using a homomorphic encryption algorithm to determine that a sum of a transfer amount included in a transfer asset and a change amount included in a change asset is equal to a total expense amount corresponding to the at least one expense asset. Using the smart contract, the expense asset is deducted from a transferor account associated with the transferor client device, the change asset is added to the transferor account, and the transfer asset is added to the transferee account.

Abstract: A system is provided for automatically reporting all the lubes delivered from the lube truck in the field and on the lube bay at the workshop in mining & related business. All the lubes dispensed from both sides need to be accounted for on each machine due to the high cost and volume. The system improves the actual lube process on mining environment avoiding human mistakes and creating a reliable lube report.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems, processes and/or methods of controlling irrigation. In some embodiments, methods are provided that receive (4112) water usage information corresponding to a first volumetric water usage at a site location having an irrigation controller (130), wherein the first volumetric water usage corresponds to volumetric water usage from a beginning of a budget period of time to a first time within the budget period of time; determine (4114) automatically whether a volumetric water budget at the site location will be met for the budget period of time based on at least the first volumetric water usage, the volumetric water budget corresponding to a specified volume of water for use during the budget period of time; determine (4116) automatically, in the event the volumetric water budget will not be met, an adjustment to the irrigation by the irrigation controller; and output (4118) signaling to effect the adjustment.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic fuel management control and accounting system may include: a server having a management logic in a memory and executable by a processor; a client device having an interface logic in a memory and executable by a processor; and a dispenser control device communicatively coupled to a material providing system to control dispensing of a material from the material providing system. A dispensing logic may be stored in a memory of the dispenser control device and executable by a processor of the dispenser control device. The dispensing logic may communicate with the management logic of the server via the interface logic of the client device thereby allowing the management logic to control dispensing of the material from the material providing system. The system may enable any number of client devices, such as cell phones, to instantly provide access to the material providing system.

Abstract: Provided is a process including: receiving a tank-nearly-full message indicating that a tank at an oil or gas related facility is or will be ready for a truck to unload and transport fluid accumulating in the tank; in response to the tank-nearly-full message, creating a tank-run record; sending a description of the tank-run to a mobile device of a driver of an oilfield truck; receiving, from the mobile device of the driver of the oilfield truck, a tank-run claimed message indicating that the driver will drive to the oil or gas related facility and transport at least some of the fluid accumulating in the tank; and after the tank-run claimed message, performing steps including: confirming that the tank-run has not yet been claimed; after the confirmation, designating the tank-run as claimed by the driver; and sending confirmation to the mobile device of the driver.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems, processes and/or methods of controlling irrigation. In some embodiments, methods are provided that receive (4112) water usage information corresponding to a first volumetric water usage at a site location having an irrigation controller (130), wherein the first volumetric water usage corresponds to volumetric water usage from a beginning of a budget period of time to a first time within the budget period of time; determine (4114) automatically whether a volumetric water budget at the site location will be met for the budget period of time based on at least the first volumetric water usage, the volumetric water budget corresponding to a specified volume of water for use during the budget period of time; determine (4116) automatically, in the event the volumetric water budget will not be met, an adjustment to the irrigation by the irrigation controller; and output (4118) signaling to effect the adjustment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for associating discounts or incentives with payment options are presented. In various embodiments, a customer purchasing goods or services is presented with various discounts or incentives to use one or more particular forms of payment such as cash, credit card, debit card, house card, or the like. After being presented with such information, the customer may then choose a form of payment, taking into account the various discounts or incentives related thereto. The appropriate discount or incentive is then applied to the customer's total bill and/or saved in the customer's loyalty account for future use.

Abstract: A method for processing transaction information for a commodity object is provided. The method includes receiving a request for purchasing a commodity object and generating, based on the request, a transaction order. The transaction order may include transaction amount information, information about a first user selling the commodity object, and information about a second user purchasing the commodity object. The method may further include setting an amount of fund in a fund account of the second user to a frozen state, and after a preset time period, transferring the amount of fund to a fund account of the first user. After the amount of fund is set to the frozen state and before the amount of fund is transferred to the fund account of the first user, an income produced by the amount of fund may be calculated and transferred to the fund account of the second user.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing substances, such as cleaning, washing, or dishwashing agents, in household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, or the like, having a dispensing unit having control means to control dispensing of the substances, and a tank receptacle, a tank for stocking the substances, the tank being embodied as a replaceable unit connectable to the tank receptacle, at least one connection for data transmission between the dispensing unit and the tank, at least one connection for data transmission between the household appliance and the tank and/or the dispensing unit.

Abstract: There is provided a mobile terminal for use in a system which includes a backend server having a first encryption key and an onboard unit (OBU). A first receiving unit receives, from the backend server, a base shared key encrypted with a second encryption key, the base shared key encrypted with the first encryption key, and a digital signature. A deriving unit decrypts the base shared key with the second encryption key and derives first authentication information based on the base shared key and a first temporary parameter. A second sending unit sends, to the OBU, the base shared key encrypted with the first encryption key, the digital signature, the first authentication information, identification information of the base shared key, and the first temporary parameter.

Abstract: A liquid crystal dispensing system includes a container to contain liquid crystal to be dispensed, a discharge pump to receive the liquid crystal from the container and to discharge the liquid crystal, a nozzle to dispense the liquid crystal discharged from the discharge pump onto a substrate, and a control unit to control a dispensing amount of liquid crystal discharged from the discharge pump and to compensate the dispensing amount when the dispensing amount of liquid crystal exceeds a limitation value.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems, processes and/or methods of controlling irrigation. In some embodiments, methods are provided that receive (4112) water usage information corresponding to a first volumetric water usage at a site location having an irrigation controller (130), wherein the first volumetric water usage corresponds to volumetric water usage from a beginning of a budget period of time to a first time within the budget period of time; determine (4114) automatically whether a volumetric water budget at the site location will be met for the budget period of time based on at least the first volumetric water usage, the volumetric water budget corresponding to a specified volume of water for use during the budget period of time; determine (4116) automatically, in the event the volumetric water budget will not be met, an adjustment to the irrigation by the irrigation controller; and output (4118) signaling to effect the adjustment.

Abstract: An apparatus for the delivery of a product having a delivery outlet, a delivery control device, a remote command device, and a mobile communications device is disclosed. The delivery control device is connected to the remote command device via a communications network and is adapted to activate the delivery outlet when in receipt of an activation signal from the remote command device. The mobile communications device is connectable to the remote command device via a communications network. The remote command device is adapted to send the activation signal to the delivery control device when in receipt of an activation request signal from the mobile communications device.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Fueling transactions (and other types of transactions) may be verified for legitimacy and validity by recording audio, video and/or images of the transaction as it occurs. The recordings may then be indexed according to one or more transaction parameters such as a driver identifier, a vehicle or transportation unit identifier, an invoice number, a fueling station and the like. A carrier associated with a driver and/or vehicle or other transportation unit may specify which transactions are to be recorded. Accordingly, the fueling station may automatically determine whether to record a transaction upon receiving a transaction initiation request. Transaction recordings may be made based on transaction recordation parameters defined by a carrier and stored and indexed based on transaction storing parameters.

Abstract: A method includes, but is not limited to: obtaining status information about one or more physical attributes associated with one or more first physical entities and one or more second physical entities, the one or more physical attributes each being perceived by one or more humans as being capable of having one or more effects upon one or more physical environments, obtaining input information from at least one of the one or more humans through at least in part one or more social networking services, the input information associated with at least one of the one or more physical attributes, and determining assessment information comparing the one or more first physical entities with the one or more second physical entities based at least in part upon the status information and based at least in part upon the input information. In addition to the foregoing, other related method/system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Electronic messages may be processed using a stamp authority by receiving an electronic message, identifying a stamp associated the message, determining if the stamp is valid, and, if the stamp is determined to be valid, distinguishing the message from messages with which a valid stamp is not identified.

Abstract: The invention refers to the technical field of the water supply measurement and control systems. The invention may be installed at the water connection of a user before or after a meter, and provides the necessary means and signals for the interconnection thereof. The system of the present invention comprises a Micro-controller device so the carried-out actions may be modified as per the water consumption market requirements, it further comprises a motorized valve which is connected at the user water connection. Each pulse transmitted from the meter is sensed by the System of the invention, updating a time window in a Real Time Clock, on which the updating of the volume permitted to a determined subscriber is registered. The volume consumed by the subscriber is compared with a stored reference at the memory of the invention.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for itemizing energy consumption to generate and present a utility consumption profile based on disaggregated historical utility consumption data is disclosed. The computer-implemented method comprises obtaining data indicating historical utility consumption of a dwelling over a time period. A non-seasonal portion of the historical utility consumption data is then determined by first computing an average utility consumption based on one or more predetermined intervals within the time period, and then computing the non-seasonal portion by applying the average to the time period. The non-seasonal portion is then subtracted from the historical utility consumption data to obtain a seasonal portion of the historical utility consumption data. The seasonal and/or non-seasonal portion may be further disaggregated by end-use methods, and presented to the user in the utility consumption profile.

Abstract: A digital shower system contains a showering equipment including at least one first watering device and at least one second watering device; an input interface including a power key, a knob, an ok key, a return key, and a plurality of outlet switches; a valve unit including a motor, a mixing valve, and a number of outlet valves; a central process unit including a setting module, a time module, a memory module, a calculator module, and a water monitor module; and an indicator so that quantity of water use is known by the user to save water consumption.

Abstract: The present invention enables users of a network service to register with the network as valued shoppers, thereby allowing them to receive specialized treatment when calling registered retailers. The present invention enables retailers to register with the network, thereby allowing them to set preferred service logic for handling valued customer calls by the network.

Abstract: A method and system to report the environmental benefits of consumers' purchases of alternative fuels. The system tracks and stores the purchases of customers from a vendor of alternative fuels. The system calculates the environmental savings that a customer generates by using alternative fuel in place of standard fuels. Environmental savings may be calculated in terms of various metrics, including reduced carbon emissions, gasoline not consumed, or other environmental benefits. The system provides a marketplace that allows consumers to receive the benefit of the calculated environmental savings by selling, trading, or retiring the generated savings.

Abstract: A system includes a custody transfer system configured to transfer a gas fuel from a gas supply to a gas turbine. The custody transfer system includes a plurality of small flow meters running in parallel with each other, each of the small flow meters configured to obtain a measurement of a portion of a flow rate of the gas fuel flowing through the custody transfer system. Further, the custody transfer system includes a large flow meter in series with the plurality of small flow meters, configured to obtain a measurement of a flow rate of the gas fuel flowing from the plurality of small flow meters. Additionally, the custody transfer system includes communications circuitry coupled to each of the small flow meters and the large flow meter, configured to provide metering metrics to a flow computer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of computing a variable fuel price based on exhaust gas emission of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a system includes an onboard unit fitted in a vehicle for measuring amount of exhaust gas emissions by the vehicle and a remote server communicatively connected to the onboard unit for computing a discount or surcharge on a base fuel price based on the amount of exhaust gas emissions by the vehicle. The system also includes a fuel station communicatively coupled to the remote server for filling fuel in a fuel tank of the vehicle at the discounted or surcharge fuel price.

Abstract: A system for calculating a cost for printing is disclosed herein. A method for calculating the cost includes receiving a print job including print job characteristics and determining a printer classification for a printer. A controlled representative volume of ink to print the print job is determined, responsive to the print job characteristics and the printer classification. The controlled representative volume of ink is independent of a variation within the printer classification.

Abstract: A pre-filling vehicle data check method and system are disclosed herein. One example of the method includes receiving, at a financial institution, an authorization request from a filling station for initiating a filling event, where the authorization request includes a financial code. Via a computing device at the financial institution, the financial code is recognized as being associated with at least one of a vehicle identification number or a station identification associated with a vehicle, thereby identifying the vehicle. At least one parameter of the vehicle is identified via a computing device at a data center in selective communication with the vehicle and the financial institution, and an authorization or denial of the at least one filling event based at least upon the at least one parameter is transmitted from the computing device at the data center.

Abstract: A fluid delivery nozzle for wireless communication to either an active or a passive device located on a vehicle and for wireless communication from the fluid delivery nozzle to a central location for storage of vehicle data. Upon initiation of a fluid delivery transaction, a communication link is established between a vehicle communication device and the central location and between a fluid container of the vehicle and the fluid delivery nozzle. The information received from the vehicle and container is relayed to the central location to authorize delivery of a fluid to the vehicle. Information is also transferred from the central location back and forth to the fluid delivery nozzle to update and store information regarding the fluid delivery transaction. A keyboard and display are provided on the fluid delivery nozzle to provide an operator interface during the fluid delivery transaction.

Abstract: Electronic messages may be processed using a stamp authority by receiving an electronic message, identifying a stamp associated the message, determining if the stamp is valid, and, if the stamp is determined to be valid, distinguishing the message from messages with which a valid stamp is not identified.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating fuel price data for at least one fuel type of a plurality of fuel types, the method being implemented in a computer comprising a memory in communication with a processor. The method comprises receiving, as input to the processor, unassigned delivery capacity data, the unassigned delivery capacity data indicating delivery capacity available for any one of the plurality of fuel types, receiving, as input to the processor, assigned delivery capacity data, the assigned delivery capacity data indicating, for each fuel type of the plurality of fuel types, delivery capacity only available for the fuel type of the plurality of fuel types and processing, by the processor, the assigned delivery capacity data and the unassigned delivery capacity data to generate the fuel price data for the at least one fuel type.

Abstract: A method for estimating a fluid volume in a subterranean area of the earth. The method includes performing a preliminary analysis on a first geological sample and placing the first geological sample inside a chamber. The method may then include monitoring pressure change over time data inside the chamber and crushing the first geological sample. After crushing the first geological sample, the method may estimate the fluid volume based on the pressure change over time data and the preliminary analysis.

Abstract: Approximating cycle times within a material flow network is disclosed. One embodiment includes assigning an approximate cycle time for completion of a part number PN within the material flow network by using a model that rounds the approximate cycle time to a nearest aggregate time period and adjusting the assigned approximate cycle time based on a mathematical function representing an aggregate accuracy of an aggregation of cycle times throughout the material flow network.

Abstract: A liquid and drink mix vending machine can vend both potable water and as an additional purchase option drink mixes (e.g., flavored drink mixes). The vending machine can include a liquid vending system and a drink mix vending system. The liquid vending system can vend different amounts of water, which can be delivered to a container provided by a user. The drink mix vending system can vend a variety of drink mixes, including drink mixes of different concentrations for a given quantity of water.

Abstract: Methods and systems for creating dynamic performance measures (DPMs) for an IBA manufacturing process. Included is a method for monitoring an Isobutyl Alcohol (IBA) recovery system that includes computing at least one of an amount of IBA recovered from the IBA recovery system and an amount of waste material produced from the IBA recovery system, and displaying at least one of the recovered IBA and the waste material produced based on time. The method also includes computing a cost saved based on a cost of virgin IBA and the amount of IBA recovered. Computing an amount of waste material includes measuring waste material flow, and computing a cost of waste material management based on the measured waste material flow and a cost per unit volume to dispose of waste material. The IBA recovery system can include an evaporation IBA recovery system and/or a distillation IBA recovery system.