DESC:EARLIEST PRIORITY DATE:

This Application claims priority from a provisional patent application filed in India
having Patent Application No. 202441071367, filed on September 20, 2024, and
titled “A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR UTILIZING IoT DEVICES TO AUTOMATE RETAIL FUEL OUTLETS”.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a field of retail fuel outlets. More particularly relates to an IoT device and a method for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Retail fuel outlets refer to fuel stations where fuel such as petrol or diesel are sold to consumers. The retail fuel outlets rely on a combination of hardware and software systems to manage fuel dispensing, sales transactions, inventory monitoring, and price control. The architecture of the retail fuel outlets is typically layered to ensure modularity and manageability across the various components involved in fuel retail operations.
[0003] The architecture of the retail fuel outlets involves integration of the various equipment’s of the retail fuel outlets with a unit called a slave unit. The slave unit connects to a master unit, and the master unit connects to Forecourt Controller (FCC) unit. The master unit collects data from its connected slave units, enforces commands, and acts as a bridge to the Forecourt Controller (FCC) unit. For instance, a pump controller might manage multiple nozzles at a fuel island, handling local logic and transmitting data to the next level. The Forecourt Controller unit is responsible for controlling the slave units and master units.
[0004] However, the present architecture presents a critical vulnerability that involves the Forecourt Controller (FCC) becoming a single point of failure. If the Forecourt Controller may go offline may be due to hardware failure, software crash, or connectivity issues the entire retail fuel outlet's operations are affected. The retail fuel outlet typically falls into a dark mode or manual mode where local operations may continue, but without proper oversight, pricing control, or transaction logging. This state reduces visibility for central monitoring teams and creates opportunities for unauthorized changes, such as fuel price manipulation or unrecorded sales.
[0005] To counteract the above problem, some organizations consider duplicating the Forecourt Controller and master units to add fault tolerance. However, this approach is often cost-prohibitive, especially at scale. The Forecourt Controller must be a heavy-duty, high-performance system capable of concurrently managing multiple dispensers, processing real-time data, and maintaining communication with external systems. Replicating such a system across hundreds or thousands of outlets significantly increases capital and operational expenditures.
[0006] Hence, there is a need for an IoT device and a method for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet which addresses the aforementioned issue(s).
OBJECTIVES
[0007] The primary objective of the invention is to replace the Forecourt Controller (FCC) with one or more IOT devices that is autonomous and integrates at every device in a retail fuel outlet that needs to be controlled thereby removing the single point of failure.
[0008] Another objective of the invention is to enable the IoT device to function as an Internet gateway and send data from multiple peer devices to the cloud.
[0009] Yet another objective of the invention is to enable the IoT devices to work in tandem using Paxos leader election to choose which device would transmit at a particular point of time.
SUMMARY
[0010] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an IoT device for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet is disclosed. The IoT device for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory comprises instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to operatively couple the IoT device with a corresponding automatic tank gauging unit. The processor receives a plurality of real-time data from one or more sensors and the automatic tank gauging unit. The processor detects one or more anomalies in the plurality of real-time data. The processor communicates data of the detected one or more anomalies to a central server and receives a plurality of commands from the central server to perform an action thereby rectifying the one or more anomalies, wherein at least one of the plurality of IoT devices functions as an Internet gateway and is configured to execute a Paxos leader election protocol, thereby enabling at least one of the plurality of IoT devices to dynamically assume a coordinating role with a corresponding automatic tank gauging unit such that the plurality of real-time data are reliably transmitted and synchronized in real-time.
[0011] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for autonomous IoT-based control in a retail fuel outlet is disclosed. The method includes receiving, a plurality of real-time data from a plurality of sensors and an automatic tank gauging units. The method includes detecting, by a plurality of IoT devices, one or more anomalies in the plurality of real-time data. The method includes communicating, by a plurality of IoT devices, data of the detected one or more anomalies to a central server and the method includes receiving, by a plurality of IoT devices, a plurality of commands to perform an action thereby rectifying the one or more anomalies, wherein at least one of the plurality of IoT devices functions as an Internet gateway and is configured to execute a Paxos leader election protocol, thereby enabling at least one of the plurality of IoT devices to dynamically assume a coordinating role with a corresponding automatic tank gauging unit such that the plurality of real-time data are reliably transmitted and synchronized in real-time.
[0012] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:
[0014] FIG. 1illustrates a network environment for implementing example techniques of an IoT device for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an IoT device for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0016] FIG. 3 is a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method for autonomous IoT-based control in a retail fuel outlet, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0017] Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0019] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or subsystems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures, or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.
[0020] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.
[0021] In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to several terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0022] The core of the present invention is one or more IoT devices becoming autonomous because it combines the functions of the master, FCC and the Slave. The removal of the FCC and master in turn collapses the entire structure where a lot of equipment required for the operations is no longer needed removing the requirement for space and reducing the cost footprint.
[0023] The present invention includes an IoT device. The present invention includes a plurality of automatic tank gauging (ATG) units. The ATGs are connected to the IoT device to provide real-time data on fuel storage tank. An ATG probe is configured to identify decantation based on continuous rise in the level of the product. The IoT devices monitor fuel levels. The IoT devices monitor fuel temperature, other critical real-time data et cetera. The IoT devices are installed at each fuel dispensing unit.
[0024] FIG. 1illustrates a network environment for implementing example techniques of an IoT device for autonomous IoT-based control in a retail fuel outlet in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, an IoT device (105a) is operatively coupled to an automatic tank gauging (ATG) unit (110a). It must be noted that a plurality of IoT devices (105a, 105b, 105n) may be operatively coupled to a corresponding ATG unit (110a, 110b, 110n) in the retail fuel outlet. Each IoT device is configured to interpret data from the corresponding ATG unit to which it is operatively coupled. Further, the plurality of IoT devices (105a, 105b, 105n) are adapted to act as internet gateways and work in tandem using Paxos leader election to choose which IoT device would transmit at a particular point of time. Paxos is used to ensure that all the IoT devices (105a, 105b, 105n) agree on one “leader” device at any given time. The elected leader is the one responsible for transmitting data to the central server (115). If the leader fails, another IoT device is elected automatically, ensuring fault tolerance. By this way, instead of all the IoT devices transmitting simultaneously (which could cause network overload or redundancy), only the elected leader device transmits data at that moment, while others stand by and remain synchronized. Typically, the ATG unit (110a) is a device installed in underground or aboveground fuel storage tanks at the retail fuel outlet. The primary function of the ATG unit (110a) is to constantly measure and monitor fuel (or liquid), water presence, temperature and leaks inside a storage tank and sends this data in real-time for further analysis.
[0026] Further, the plurality of IoT devices (105a, 105b, 105n) are operatively coupled to a central server (115) via an IoT gateway (120). The central server (115) collects, processes and stores data coming in from the IoT devices (105a, 105b, 105n). Additionally, the central server (115) issues control commands to the IoT devices (105a, 105b, 105n). The IoT gateway (120) acts as a bridge between the IoT devices (105a, 105b, 105n) and the central server (115). The IoT gateway (120) handles communication protocols (for instance, Zigbee, MQTT, Wi-Fi, 4G/5G). In one embodiment, the IoT gateway (120) preprocesses or filters data before sending it to the central server (115). Further, the IoT gateway (120) ensures secure and reliable communication between the IoT devices (105a, 105b, 105n) and the central server (115).
[0027] Additionally, each IoT device (105a, 105b, 105n) are operatively coupled to a plurality of sensors (125). The plurality of sensors (125) includes an earth monitoring sensor, a lux sensor and a voltage/current sensor.
[0028] It may be noted that the foregoing system is an exemplary system and may be implemented as computer executable instructions in any computing or processing environment, including in digital electronic circuitry or in computer hardware, firmware, device driver, or software. As such, the system is not limited to any specific hardware or software configuration.
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an IoT device (200) for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 2, the IoT device (200) for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet includes a processor(s) (240), a memory(s) (245) coupled to and accessible by the processor(s) (240), database (230) and a user interface (235) coupled to the memory(s) (245). The IoT devices (200) are installed at each fuel dispensing unit.
[0030] The IoT device (200) for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet disclosed herein is the same as the IoT device (105a) for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet described in FIG. 1. The functions of various elements shown in the figs., including any functional blocks labelled as "processor(s)", may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing instructions. When provided by a processor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which may be shared. Moreover, explicit use of the term "processor" would not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing instructions, and may implicitly comprise, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, network processor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA). Other hardware, standard and/or custom, may also be coupled to the processor(s) (240). The IoT device (105) for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet further include other components such as, but not limited to, keyboard, sensors, logic circuits, input/output interfaces etc. Further, the IoT (105) may include data (not shown) which may include data that may be stored, utilized or generated during the operation of the computer implemented IoT device (200).
[0031] The memory(s) (245) may be a computer-readable medium, examples of which comprise volatile memory (e.g., RAM), and/or non-volatile memory (e.g., Erasable Programmable read-only memory, i.e. EPROM, flash memory, etc.). The memory(s) (245) may be an external memory, or internal memory, such as a flash drive, a compact disk drive, an external hard disk drive, or the like. The IoT device (105) for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet may further include the user interface (235) that may allow the connection or coupling of the IoT device (105) for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet with one or more other devices, through a wired (e.g., Local Area Network, i.e., LAN) connection or through a wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi) The user interface (235) may also enable intercommunication between different logical as well as hardware components of the IoT device (105) for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet.
[0032] The IoT device (200) for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet may be provided with a database (230) to store transactions, fuel levels, fuel temperature, anomalies, light conditions, commands from server, consumption of power, current and voltage. In an example implementation of the IoT device (105) for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet including one or more servers, the databases may databases local to the server or may be remote to the server. It may be noted that the data in the databases may be stored as a table or may be pre-stored as a mapping with the other. This application is not limited thereto.
[0033] The IoT device for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet may include module(s). The module(s) may include a receiving module (210), detecting module (215), and a communication module (220). In one example, the module(s) may be implemented as a combination of hardware and firmware. In an example described herein, such combinations of hardware and firmware may be implemented in several different ways. For example, the firmware for module(s) may be processor (240) executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the hardware for the module(s) may include a processing resource (for example, implemented as either single processor or combination of multiple processors), to execute such instructions. Further, the hardware for the module(s) may include communication apparatuses, control circuitries involving electrical and electronics components, sensors, and interface devices, which may be in communication with each other for multi-directional communication therebetween.
[0034] Further, the IoT device (105a) includes data. The data may include data that is either stored or generated as a result of functions implemented by the system. In an example, data may be real-time data that includes fuelling transaction, fuel temperature, anomalies, fuel level, light conditions, consumption of voltage, power and current. It may be noted that such examples of the various functions are only indicative. The present approaches may be applicable to other examples without deviating from the scope of the present subject matter.
[0035] In the present examples, the non-transitory machine-readable storage medium may store instructions that, when executed by the processing resource, implement the functionalities of modules(s). In such examples, the IoT device (105) for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet may include the machine-readable storage medium storing the instructions and the processing resource to execute the instructions. In other examples of the present subject matter, the machine-readable storage medium may be located at a different location but accessible to the IoT device (105) for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet and the processor(s) (240).
[0036] The receiving module (210) is configured to receive a plurality of real-time data from an automatic tank gauging unit (ATG) and one or more sensors. In one embodiment, the receiving module (210) receives real-time data from a plurality of automatic tank gauging unit and one or more sensor. The sensors are installed on one or more fuel storage tanks. The sensors may be an earth monitoring sensor, a lux sensor and a voltage/current sensor. The real-time data received from the automatic tank gauging unit includes fuel level, water level and fuel temperature. The automatic gauging unit uses data received from an automatic tank guage (ATG) probes to identify the levels of the product (fuel) and water in the tanks. The ATG probe also identifies the decantation based on continuous rise in the level of the fuel. The sensor data includes light condition, voltage, current, and power consumption and fueling transaction data. The sensors track, measure and monitor voltage, current, and power consumption to provide insights for energy optimization. For example, the sensor data may be the light condition is detected as "dim" during evening hours, voltage at 230V, current at 1.2A, and power consumption at 276W and the fueling transaction data may be 42.7 liters of fuel was dispensed, starting at 3:46 pm and ending at 3.47 pm, along with a pump ID and nozzle used. The receiving module (210) receives the lighting condition data in a retail fuel outlet via a Lux sensor. The received lighting condition data enables efficient energy management in the retail fuel. The light consumption data provides insights for optimizing energy usage.
[0037] The detecting module (215) is configured to detect one or more anomalies from the received real-time data. For example, the detection module (215) detects the levels of the product (fuel) and water in the tanks are appropriate or there is a presence of an anomaly with the fuel and water levels. The detecting module (215) detects the type of anomalies in the retail fuel outlet. Examples of the types of anomalies the detecting module may detect include a leakage detection, water ingress, tanks filled over safety measure, unauthorized decantation (fuel being added to the tank outside scheduled deliveries), sensor malfunction et cetera.
[0038] The communication module (220) enables the IoT device (200) to communicate with a cloud or a central server which issue commands to connected IoT devices to perform a plurality of actions. The central server may be a prem server. The communication module (220) enables at least one of the plurality of the IoT device for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet to function as an Internet gateway. The internet gateway executes a Paxos leader election protocol to enable at least one of the plurality of IoT devices to dynamically assume a coordinating role as a “leader” device among the plurality of IoT devices with a corresponding automatic tank gauging unit such that the real-time data is reliably transmitted and synchronized in real-time. The Paxos leader election protocol enables at least one of the plurality of IoT devices to dynamically assume as an internet gateway and coordinate with another device to transmit data to the central server or cloud at a time. The communication module (220) communicates the detected anomalies to a cloud or a server. If the leader fails, another IoT device is elected automatically, ensuring fault tolerance. By this way, instead of all the IoT devices transmitting simultaneously, only the leader device transmits data at that moment, while others stand by and remain synchronized, hence reducing network overload or redundancy.
[0039] The communication module (220) includes a rectifying sub-module. The rectifying sub-module receives a plurality of commands from the central server. The rectifying sub-module is configured to execute the commands from the central server and enables the rectifying sub-module to perform an action. The action may include authorization, locking and unlocking of nozzles, blocking valves and so on. The action thereby rectifies the one or more anomalies. For example, nozzles are automatically locked under certain conditions to prevent unsafe or incorrect fuel dispensing. The conditions may include low or high product (fuel) levels or water levels in the tank beyond set safety thresholds, ATG probe errors (such as communication or sensor faults), or when decantation (fuel delivery into the tank) is in progress. For example, if the water level inside a tank rises above acceptable limits, or if a fuel delivery is detected due to a continuous rise in product level, the rectifying sub-module will lock the nozzles to prevent fuel from being dispensed during this condition. The rectifying sub-module automatically unlocks the nozzle once the abnormalities have been rectified allowing normal dispensing to resume. The rectifying sub-module controls the blocking and unblocking of nozzles in the dispensing unit (DU) through an inbuilt programmable logic controller (PLC) integrated within the dispensing unit.
[0040] Consider a non-limiting example wherein a fuel station has multiple underground storage tanks and dispenser units. Each storage tank is equipped with an ATG unit and sensors for fuel level, water detection, temperature and pressure. The fuel station has IoT devices deployed near each storage tank and dispenser units. Specifically, an IoT device A is connected to an ATG unit (tank level and water detection), IoT device B is connected to a fuel dispenser and IoT device C is connected to a payment terminal. All the three IoT devices are connected to the central server but only IoT device B acts as a main communicator. Real-time data is received by all the three IoT devices from the corresponding ATG units and is subsequently transmitted to the central server. Suddenly, ATG unit connected to IoT device B detects a sudden drop of 500L in the fuel dispenser. The IoT device B immediately flags a possible leakage. This real-time data is transmitted by the IoT device B to the central server. The central server sends a command ‘Shut off pump and lock tank’. The IoT device B executes the command. Meanwhile, Paxos triggers re-election and IoT Device A becomes the new leader. Now IoT device A sends its own ATG data, collects nozzle information from IoT device B and collects transaction information from IoT device C. IoT device A transmits all the collected information to the central server. In this way, operations in the retail fuel outlet continues without any disruption. The central server gets real-time updates and customers at the retail fuel outlet are unaware of the failure of IoT device B.
[0041] FIG. 3 is a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method for autonomous IoT-based control in a retail fuel outlet, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method (300) includes operatively coupling, the IoT device with a corresponding automatic tank gauging unit in step (305). The IoT device is operatively coupled to a plurality of IoT-based lux sensors to monitor a lighting condition for enabling energy management. Further, the central server is configured to provide one or more insights for energy optimization.
[0042] The method (300) includes receiving, a plurality of real-time data from a plurality of sensors and an automatic tank gauging units in step (310). The plurality of automatic tank gauging units are adapted to identify decantation based on a continuous rise of a liquid level by an automatic tank gauging probe. The real-time data includes a fuel level, fuel temperature, voltage, current, power consumption and transaction data.
[0043] The method (300) includes detecting, by a plurality of IoT devices, one or more anomalies in the plurality of real-time data in step (315).
[0044] The method (300) includes communicating, by a plurality of IoT devices, data of the detected one or more anomalies to a central server in step (320).
[0045] The method (300) includes receiving, by a plurality of IoT devices, a plurality of commands to perform an action thereby rectifying the one or more anomalies, wherein at least one of the plurality of IoT devices functions as an internet gateway and is configured to execute a Paxos leader election protocol, thereby enabling at least one of the plurality of IoT devices to dynamically assume a coordinating role with a corresponding automatic tank gauging unit such that the plurality of real-time data is reliably transmitted and synchronized in real-time in step (325). The action includes authorization, locking or unlocking of one or more nozzles and blocking or unblocking of one or more valves. The one or more nozzles are locked based on a plurality of conditions in the plurality of automatic tank gauging units. The blocking or unblocking of one or more valves is controlled by a programmable logic controller operatively coupled to the plurality of automatic tank gauging units. The failure of any one of the plurality of IoT devices is isolated without disrupting coordination among the remaining IoT devices, such that the automatic tank gauging unit continues to transmit the plurality of real-time data through the elected coordinating IoT device.
[0046] Thus, various embodiments of the IoT device and a method for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet. provides several benefits. With an autonomous IoT devices at each ATG, the system removes the risk of a single failure bringing down the entire retail fuel outlet. If one IoT device fails, only the associated component is affected, isolating the issue and maintaining overall functionality. Further, the IoT device leads to significant cost savings by eliminating expensive centralized control units and minimizing the hardware footprint.
[0047] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
[0048] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.
[0049] The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, the order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.
,CLAIMS:1. An IoT device for autonomous control in a retail fuel outlet comprising:
a processor;
a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory comprises instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to:
operatively couple the IoT device with a corresponding automatic tank gauging unit;
receive a plurality of real-time data from one or more sensors and the automatic tank gauging unit;
detect one or more anomalies in the plurality of real-time data;
communicate data of the detected one or more anomalies to a central server; and
receive a plurality of commands from the central server to perform an action thereby rectifying the one or more anomalies,
wherein at least one of the plurality of IoT devices functions as an Internet gateway and is configured to execute a Paxos leader election protocol, thereby enabling at least one of the plurality of IoT devices to dynamically assume a coordinating role with a corresponding automatic tank gauging unit such that the plurality of real-time data is reliably transmitted and synchronized in real-time.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of automatic tank gauging units is adapted to identify decantation based on a continuous rise of a liquid level by an automatic tank gauging probe.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of real-time data comprises a fuel level, fuel temperature, voltage, current, power consumption and transaction data.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of IoT-based lux sensors to monitor a lighting condition for enabling energy management.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, to cause the processor to provide one or more insights for energy optimization.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the action comprises authorization, locking or unlocking of one or more nozzles and blocking or unblocking of one or more valves.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the one or more nozzles are locked based on a plurality of conditions in the plurality of automatic tank gauging units.

8. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the blocking or unblocking of one or more valves is controlled by a programmable logic controller operatively coupled to the plurality of automatic tank gauging units.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein failure of any one of the plurality of IoT devices is isolated without disrupting coordination among the remaining IoT devices, such that the automatic tank gauging unit continues to transmit the plurality of real-time data through the elected coordinating IoT device.

10. A method for autonomous IoT-based control in a retail fuel outlet comprising:
operatively coupling, the IoT device with a corresponding automatic tank gauging unit;
receiving, a plurality of real-time data from a plurality of sensors and an automatic tank gauging units;
detecting, by a plurality of IoT devices, one or more anomalies in the plurality of real-time data;
communicating, by a plurality of IoT devices, data of the detected one or more anomalies to a central server; and
receiving, by a plurality of IoT devices, a plurality of commands to perform an action thereby rectifying the one or more anomalies,
wherein at least one of the plurality of IoT devices functions as an internet gateway and is configured to execute a Paxos leader election protocol, thereby enabling at least one of the plurality of IoT devices to dynamically assume a coordinating role with a corresponding automatic tank gauging unit such that the plurality of real-time data is reliably transmitted and synchronized in real-time.
Dated this 18th day of September 2025
Signature

Prakriti Bhattacharya
Patent Agent (IN/PA 5178)
Agent for the Applicant