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The IP.com Prior Art Database
Undisclosed
English (United States)
Method to Improve Queue Efficiency at Gas Stations Using Preemptive Vehicle Data Currently, the process in gas/petrol stations put the onus on the customer to make a quick decision on which line to join, but due to the lack of knowledge on which customer is set to finish first, they are at risk causing unnecessary queuing. This is a substantial problem for the providers as they may lose business to competitors during busy periods. This is inefficient for both the customer and the gas station. Assumptions: We assume that the vehicles have smart fuel sensors and that they allow communication to the petrol station. Therefore, we assume that they are 'smart' vehicles, which are internet and WiFi enabled (see prior art). Steps of the Method: 1. Analyse current state of station: Petrol station identifies which pumps are currently in use, how long they are going to be in use for based on the vehicle that is operating them. This analysis will be done constantly in the background. 2. Identification of incoming car to station: Petrol station gets information that a vehicle is approaching by receiving information from vehicle on-board navigation systems (or autonomous driving systems) that the vehicle is planning a visit to the petrol station. This data is sent over WifFi or over the internet 3. Sending car and fuel data: Before the vehicle arrives at the station, the vehicle sends fuel level information and car details (size of car, side of car that contains the fuel cap) to the station for analysis 4. Calculation of most optimal lane: System calculates which pump queue to send the incoming vehicle to minimize the ‘non-pumping time’ (time at which there is a pump that is not being used, for example when a pump cannot be accessed due to another vehicle blocking its access). To do this, it can use, but is not limited to the following data: - Pump availability, Pump position - Remaining time for vehicles currently refueling - Re-fueling time for vehicles currently queuing - Incoming vehicle re-fueling t...
