Vehicle Fuel Theft Mitigation System and Method

Abstract

A method and system (10) for mitigating fuel theft relating to refueling or recharging a vehicle by capturing an image of a unique vehicle identification marker (14), such as a an alphanumeric vehicle registration plate, comparing one or more features of the image with a record containing features from a number of images of previously captured unique vehicle identification markers, and providing an alert if the features of the unique vehicle identification marker match features of at least one of the number of unique vehicle identification markers in the record. A request (26) for payment for fuel can be required before fuel delivery is enabled or a debt payment request can be provided if fuel has been delivered but not paid for within a period of time.

Claims

1. A method of mitigating fuel theft relating to refueling or recharging a vehicle, including the steps of: capturing an image of a unique vehicle identification marker; comparing one or more features of the image of the unique vehicle identification marker with a record containing features of a number of images of other unique vehicle identification markers; providing an alert if the one or more features of the unique vehicle identification marker match(es) features of at least one of the number of the other unique vehicle identification markers in the record.

2. The method according to claim 1, the record containing the number of images of unique vehicle identification markers corresponds to unique vehicle identification markers of vehicles relating to drive-away incidents.

3. The method of claim 1, including providing a notification that prepayment is required before fuel delivery will be allowed.

4. The method according to claim 3, the notification provided on a display screen adjacent the fuel pump.

5. The method according to claim 1, whereby fuel dispensing is enabled after prepayment is received for the fuel.

6. The method according to claim 1, including generating an alert when an image of a vehicle identification marker matches a vehicle identification marker in the record and a drive-off record and/or previous non-payment record.

7. The method according to claim 1, whereby following payment of one or more missed fuel payments, the respective vehicle identification marker image or a non-payment record or a drive-off record, or a combination of one or more thereof, is requested to be removed from the record.

8. The method according to claim 1, including displaying on at least one display screen at least one image of the vehicle identification marker(s).

9. The method according to claim 1, the record including a database of images of vehicle license plates/registration numbers showing the unique vehicle registration number relating to each vehicle.

10. The method according to claim 1, whereby, when the vehicle identification marker has a match within the record and the vehicle is not at a location where payment was previously not made, prepayment is required before fuel is dispensed.

11. The method according to claim 1, whereby, when the vehicle identification marker has a match within the record and previous non-payment occurred at the same location where the vehicle is at, prepayment and/or payment of previous non-payment(s) is required before fuel will be dispensed.

12. The method according to claim 1, whereby, if the vehicle returns to a location at which a previous drive-off incident occurred, and the previous missed payment(s) are paid, the record of the vehicle identification marker can be removed or deactivated.

13. The method according to claim 1, whereby, if a person is willing but unable to pay for fuel, the vehicle identification marker is added to the record until the payment is made.

14. The method according to claim 1, whereby refueling the vehicle includes dispensing of liquid or liquefied fuel or electrical recharge of the vehicle.

15. A system for mitigating fuel theft, including at least one imaging device to capture at least one image identifying a vehicle adjacent a fuel pump, electronic storage to maintain a record of the captured images identifying a number of vehicles each previously being at a respective fuel pump, an alert system to provide an alert if image data identifying the vehicle matches previously recorded image data relating to the vehicle and payment for fuel has not been made.

16. The system according to claim 15, including a stored record of previous drive-off incidents and/or previous non-payment incidents relating to fuel theft.

17. The system according to claim 15, including a cross referencing system which cross references the image data relating to the vehicle with the stored image data relating to the number of vehicles and the stored record of previous drive-off incidents and/or previous non-payment incidents relating to fuel theft.

18. The system according to claim 15, including a display screen at or in the proximity of the fuel pump providing a notification that prepayment is required.

19. The system according to claim 15, wherein refueling of the vehicles includes supply of liquid or liquefied fuel by a fuel pump or electrical recharge at a recharging station.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] One or more embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:

[0058] FIG. 1 shows a schematic arrangement of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 2 provides a flow chart of typical operation of the system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0060] As shown in FIG. 1, one or more cameras 12a . . . 12n are set-up to view a zone adjacent at least one respective fuel pump or recharging station. Hereinafter, for the sake of expediency, the term pump will be used to cover liquid fuel and electrical energy delivery devices.

[0061] When a vehicle enters a pump zone, at least one of the cameras 12a . . . 12n captures at least one image of the vehicle's license plate 14.

[0062] An image of the license plate is stored in a record along with a unique pump identification/reference (PIN) and a date and time stamp.

[0063] The captured image(s) is/are communicated to an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) server 16, which uses character recognition to create a record of the license plate alphanumeric characters.

[0064] In this specification, number plate is equivalent to license plate, being the external identification for a particular licensed vehicle.

[0065] Each image has associated data relating to the fuel pump at which the vehicle has stopped within the relevant zone. This is a pump identification number (PIN).

[0066] Also, the time and date the image is captured are also associated with the image.

[0067] The image, PIN and time and date stamp are all communicated to the ANPR. The ANPR creates a record of the license plate along with the associated PIN, date and time data.

[0068] The license plate is compared with a record of images of license plates already stored on the server. The license plate is also referenced against a drive-off incident database 18 and an IOU (previous non-payment history) database 20.

[0069] The results of the reference check are output to a processor 22 which determines what output it makes.

[0070] If a match is made between the license plate of the vehicle in the zone and a previously recorded license plate and a drive-off or IOU record, the processor 22 outputs an alert to an attendant/operator (customer service operator or CSO).

[0071] The pump can be automatically or manually prevented from dispensing fuel to the customer. The alert can be a visual and/or audible alert, such as on a display screen 24.

[0072] A notification can be displayed to the customer at the pump on a display screen 26, such as prepayment required or pay at counter before filling etc.

[0073] One or more notifications or identification of one or more license plates can also or instead be displayed on a display screen 28 for more general viewing, such as in a service station store or kiosk. Thus, general monitoring and awareness can be made of the presence and changing of displayed license plates as vehicles come and go. This provides a general deterrent to potential or opportunist drive-off motorists who will be aware that vehicle monitoring is present. The general display screen can be, for example, a (HD)TV or similar display monitor.

[0074] If the reference check is positive i.e. there is a previous record of that vehicle license plate and a previous drive-off or IOU event or outstanding payment, the notification can advise the customer to make prepayment before fuel will be dispensed.

[0075] If the reference check returns negative i.e. no match to a previous image of the license plate and/or no previous drive-off for IOU event with payment outstanding, fuel can be dispensed.

[0076] However, if the fuel is not paid for i.e. the customer drives off without paying, the service station attendant (also known as a customer service operator or CSO) flags a drive-off event within the system. Thus, in the event of a future attempt to obtain fuel for that vehicle, an image of the license plate will already be recorded, a fresh image of the license plate will be obtained at the that next attempt to obtain fuel and drive-off and IOU for non-payment records will have been previously recorded. Thus, at that next fuel fill event, no fuel will be dispensed until prepayment is received and optionally the previous non-payment (IOU) paid and cleared in the system.

[0077] Video footage of the vehicle at the drive off event is also obtained by the camera(s) 12a . . . 12n. This can retrospectively be viewed to try to identify the vehicle and offending person more accurately. Such data can be useful in forming a report on the incident and/or for providing to police.

[0078] An incident event can be defined as start time, and date license plate detected, and finish time and date that the CSO confirms the incident occurred (plus, if required, an additional period of time from the start time if confirmation occurs after set time period, e.g. after 10 minutes).

[0079] If the camera system cannot recognize a license plate, such as when the license plate is too dirty, misshapen or has an unusual format, the CSO may manually enter the observed license plate into the system (such as via a tablet type display in the service station). Thus, a record is maintained of the license plate even if an image is not available.

[0080] The system can prompt the CSO to manually enter the license plate when the camera(s) are unable to obtain a suitable image. The license plate alpha-numeric characters can be entered via a standard keyboard or touchscreen, such as a display screen used to display the original alert.

[0081] Manual input by the CSO may include an option to allow the pump/bowser to deliver fuel i.e. an override. For example, if a person has provided payment for fuel for the unknown vehicle with the license plate unrecognized by the camera system.

[0082] License plate details manually entered into the system are cross referenced to license plate details already stored in the record of previously obtained images of license plates or other manually entered license plate details.

[0083] It will be appreciated that the system includes optical character recognition functionality, so that the letters and/or numbers on the license plate can be read by the system for comparison with the alphanumeric characters on other license plates.

[0084] If a manually entered license plate (i.e. unsuccessfully imaged by the cameras but entered manually by the CSO) or an automatically entered license plate (i.e. license plate successfully imaged by the cameras) has a positive cross reference to license plate details stored in the record, such as the database of previous drive off offenses for that vehicle and/or associated non-payment records, the license plate or other information is displayed to the CSO and optionally at the pump.

[0085] Preferably, license plate numbers can be imaged on-demand by the CSO or other authorized person managing the system.

[0086] For example, the CSO or an authorized person can control the at least one camera to take an image of a license plate of a vehicle within an image capture zone, such as at a fuel pump.

[0087] The command to obtain the image may be, for example, by touching a touch screen/button on a touch screen display in order to initiate or reinitiate automatic image capture of the license plate e.g. should the automatic imaging system have failed in the first instance.

[0088] Also, license plate numbers can be manually input into the system for saving in the record (such as a database), if required. For example, if the camera system temporarily fails.

[0089] The CSO can be allowed the option to approve delivery of fuel even though the license plate details cannot be manually input, or after the customer has prepaid for fuel, or the CSO can provide for an indication to be sent to the display screen at the pump.

[0090] If the customer prepays for fuel, the CSO can allow fuel to be dispensed and can input to the system that payment has been received. This allows the system to send a message to the display screen at the pump that fuel can now be dispensed.

[0091] Vehicles associated with a history of non-payment for fuel are prevented from being filled, or repeat offenders are prevented from obtaining fuel, until prepayment is made.

[0092] A person may opt to pay off previous unpaid amounts and request to have the license plate deactivated or removed from the record so that future prepayments are not required unless a further active drive away history is established and the prepayment requirement is reinstated.

[0093] For a motorist unable to pay for fuel at the time after having obtained fuel, a promise to pay or I Owe You (IOU) can be generated in the system, which preferably includes obtaining an image of the person's identification (such as a driving license, credit card, passport etc.preferably being a document containing name and contact details).

[0094] An image of their identification can be taken, such as by the CSO, and entered in the system against the IOU and preferably an image of the license plate.

[0095] Preferably the customer's full name and address can be manually entered into the system. Vehicle details may also be entered, such as vehicle colour, shape/type, make and/or model. A reason for why the IOU has been allowed and fuel be obtained without payment can also be required.

[0096] Identification of the actual CSO, such as an identification number or digital signature, can be required. An IOU report can be generated with the above details.

[0097] If the motorist does not subsequently pay or the IOU otherwise repaid, the vehicle is retained on the record and an alert can be given the next time the vehicle is detected at a service station (by imaging the license plate).

[0098] If fuel is obtained without payment and a drive-off (drive-away) incident occurs, a report is completed within the system, and footage of the vehicle at the pump is forwarded to the relevant policing authorities and/or relevant stakeholders, such as other service station operators to be alert for the drive away vehicle. The footage is preferably video footage showing several seconds or minutes of video of the vehicle and preferably the person committing the drive-off incident.

[0099] Footage of a drive-off offense may be provided to the relevant national police record for the jurisdiction in which the incident has occurred, helping the police/security authorities to monitor, investigate and act on such incidents. Thus, the system and method of one or more embodiments of the present invention can help authorities to control fuel theft and help to capture repeat offenders, and potentially identify stolen vehicles.

[0100] In the event that a drive-off incident occurs, but the motorist returns to pay the missed payment (possibly because they simply forgot to pay but then returned to pay), the drive-off incident can be removed from the system once the payment has been made. The image of the license plate is then deactivated or removed from the record. Details of a payment receipt may be input into the system and recorded against the drive-off incident to confirm payment has been made and the incident legitimately cleared.

[0101] A further embodiment of the present invention is shown as a flow chart in FIG. 2.

[0102] According to that flow chart in FIG. 2, a vehicle enters a forecourt 100. At least one camera captures an image 102 of the license plate of the vehicle. The license plate is checked 104 against a record of other stored license plate images and against a list of previous drive-off and/or non-payment offenders.

[0103] If the customer is not on the prepayment required list 106, the customer can dispense 108 from the fuel pump, and the customer fills fuel into the vehicle's fuel tank 110.

[0104] If the customer then pays for the fuel 112, no alert is made and no further record or check is carried out and the vehicle exits the service station 114.

[0105] However, if the customer drives-off 116 without making payment for the fuel, the operator (CSO) is alerted 118 and the drive-off incident logged into the system 120. A drive-off incident report is created 122 by the CSO and the license plate is added to the record. The prepayment required and drive-off records are updated 124 with the license plate details.

[0106] Alternatively, if the license plate check 104 reveals that the vehicle has previously been involved in a drive-off incident and payment was not made 126 i.e. suggesting the customer is a repeat offender, the CSO is alerted 128 by an alert to a display screen at the payment kiosk/counter. The display at the fuel pump displays 130 a notice to the customer to make prepayment. No fuel is dispensed.

[0107] If the customer prepays for fuel 132, the fuel pump is enabled to dispense fuel 134, the customer can fill their vehicle's fuel tank 136, and exit the service station 138.

[0108] Also, if the customer prepays for fuel and clears any previous outstanding payments, they can request to be removed from the (IOU) prepayment required record 140.

[0109] The customer can register to be removed from the prepayment required record and that removal can be effected 142 once conditions are complied with.

[0110] One or more forms of the present invention can include an arrangement whereby, motorists using a service station or participating group of service stations, can obtain a credit value for the number of attendances and/or the amount of fuel and/or the value of fuel purchased.

[0111] Drive-off events or non-payment for fuel can temporarily or permanently result in the credit value being negated or reduced (preferably until at least any missed payments have been reconciled).