MegaTrak™
ODOMETER CAPTURE

*Product in Development*

The goal for modern fueling control systems has long been to automate the transaction and eliminate user intervention (and user errors) as much as possible. Toward that end, there has been a push toward using wireless (radio) connectivity between vehicles and dispensers.

However, this radio technology suffers from problems of cost, complexity, and installation issues. There is also a nearly insurmountable problem of reliably knowing which vehicle is near which dispenser. Methods tacked-on in an attempt to eliminate this problem have added even more cost and other problems, including daunting maintenance and regulatory issues.

The MegaTrak™ approach is to remove the costly, complex radio components and return to a simpler, more positive method of communication. Using an electronic device called an iButton as a secure, personal data carrier, all the benefits of these wireless systems can be had without any of the pitfalls.

In the MegaTrak™ system, the vehicle is easily equipped with a small device that plugs into the on-board OBDII diagnostic bus or vehicle power. The compact Vehicle Control Module or “VCM” device has no user controls. It has only a simple “probe” where the iButton device is touched for a moment (1 to 2 seconds) during which data is exchanged, and an LED to inform the user of status.

The drivers carry personal iButton keys, usually mounted on a key ring just like regular keys. Each driver’s iButton key contains his personal information and preferences.

Although any driver key can be used to carry vehicle information from the vehicle to the dispenser, the server software always verifies that the driver and vehicle are allowed to fuel, and controls the fuel type and quantity that can be delivered.

When the driver arrives at a fuel dispenser, he touches his iButton key in the vehicle for a second or two. The VCM adds vehicle information (ID, fuel type, capacity, odometer or hours, fault codes, etc.) into the iButton. The driver then touches his iButton key to the dispenser probe, where all the data can be collected and used to make the fueling decision. This simple action of touching in the vehicle and then touching on the dispenser is all that is required to collect driver and vehicle information and make a positive association between the vehicle and the dispenser. And does it all without the costly and complicated radios.

VCMs mounted on equipment that is not equipped to offer-up diagnostic bus information will, nonetheless, serve to identify the equipment and collect run-time and other information.

The information in the iButton keys is secured using world-class cryptography and strong authentication. iButton devices are durable stainless-steel, use no batteries and last more than a lifetime. And each is electronically traceable and unique using a serial number laser-injected into the silicon when the device is manufactured. No two devices are ever the same, making duplication of an iButton device impossible.

Of course, variations of the system are possible, such as having vehicle keys and using existing access control system cards or tokens for driver identity.