FORM 2
The Patents Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECONCILIATION OF OIL DELIVERY IN PETROL PUMPS
APPLICANT: LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED
L&T House, Ballard Estate, P.O. Box No. 278, Mumbai, 400 001, Maharashtra.
INDIA.
PREAMBLE OF THE DESCRIPTION:
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED

A) TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention generally relates to the fluid volume measurement devices and methods. The present invention particularly relates to a system and method for reconciliation of fuel delivery between the fuel retailers and the oil companies. The present invention more particularly relates to a system and method for fuel reconciliation between the amount of fuel dispensed through a fuel dispenser and electromechanical totalizer count during the power failure period.
B) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Usually large quantities of liquids and similar materials are often stored in bulk storage containers or tanks, which are located above-ground level, partially above-ground level, or completely below ground level. The containers or the tanks are generally connected by piping to the fuel dispensers. A retailer utilizes various types of fuel dispensers for dispensing the fuel to the customers. The fuel dispenser sends a data signal corresponding to the volume of fuel dispensed by every nozzle to a main board. The volume of fuel dispensed by every nozzle is stored and displayed on a display unit by the retailer. An Electronic totalizer (ET) is provided for each fuel dispenser to display the total cumulative amount of fuel discharged through the fuel dispenser. Accordingly an Electromechanical totalizer (EMT) is updated by the main board for every 1 litre or 100ml of fuel dispensed by the nozzle depending on the type of pump.
[0003] The EMT count is frequently monitored by oil companies for fuel reconciliation with respect to ET count. It is very important to match the ET count, the EMT count and the dispensed fuel volume as indicated on the display unit, since any discrepancies among the three counts are considered as malfunctioning or tampering of the fuel dispenser. During the power failure period, the main power supply voltage drops from 24V to 5V. However the main board continues to send

dispensed fuel volume count to the EMT even at 5V level. Further the EMT fails to update the dispensed fuel volume count sent by the main board at 5V, since the EMT requires 24V signal for updating. The updating failure by the EMT causes loss of data thereby generating a mismatch between the ET count and the EMT count. During the power failure period, the EMT does not get updated properly and as a result the delivery boy may deposit less money to the cashier, since the money is collected from him after tallying the EMT readings. This will result in some fuel to be unaccounted for and the dealer will be at loss. Also the Oil companies will face problems in their fuel reconciliation
[0004] Hence there is a need to provide a system and method for fuel reconciliation between the ET count and the EMT count during the power failure. Also there exists a need to update the EMT with respect to the fuel volume dispensed by a nozzle and displayed on the display unit rather than calculated value. Further there exists a need to store the fuel volume count dispensed by a nozzle and displayed on the display unit during power failure to update the EMT during the subsequent restoration of power,
[0005] The above mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.
C) OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The primary object of the invention is to develop a system and method for reconciliation of the dispensed fuel data between Electronic totalizer (ET) and Electro Mechanical totalizer (EMT) during the power failure period.
[0007] Another object of the invention is to develop a system and method for reconciliation of fuel by updating ET count based on fuel volume dispensed by nozzle which is displayed on a display unit.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to develop a system and method for fuel reconciliation by updating EMT with the dispensed fuel volume that is displayed on a display unit rather than calculated value of the dispensed fuel volume.
[0009] Yet another object of the invention is to develop a system and method for fuel reconciliation for storing the dispensed fuel volume count that is displayed on a display unit during a power failure period to update the EMT at the next power ON cycle.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
D) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for the reconciliation of dispensed fuel volume between an electronic totalizer (ET) and an electromechanical totalizer (EMT) during a power failure period.
[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for reconciling oil delivery in petrol pumps has a power supply card provided with a low power supply detection circuit. A Main processor is connected to the power supply card and to the low power supply detection circuit. A storage device is provided in the main processor. Atleast one oil dispenser unit is connected to the main processor. Atleast one electromechanical totalizer is connected to the main processor. The main processor receives a detection signal from the low power supply detection circuit to output a control signal to stop the delivery of oil through the oil dispenser unit and stops the updating process in the electromechanical totalizer, when low voltage power supply from the power supply card is detected by the low power supply detection circuit.

[0013] The main processor stores/outputs a signal to store the value of the oil
discharged through the oil dispenser in the storage device during the power failure period, when power failure is detected by the low power supply detection circuit. The main processor updates/sends a signal or query to update the value in the electromechanical totalizer based on the value stored in the storage device, when the power supply is restored.
[0014] The system further comprises a display unit connected to the oil dispenser. The main processor outputs a signal to the electromechanical totalizer to update the value displayed on the electromechanical totalizer based on the value displayed on the display connected to an oil dispenser and not on the calculated value of oil dispensed through the oil dispenser.
[0015] The low power supply detection circuit forwards a low power supply detection signal to the main processor, when the voltage of the power supplied from the power supply falls below 20 volts. The low power supply detection circuit senses the power failure, when no power is supplied from the power supply. The main processor resets the storage device and deletes the data stored in the storage device after the updating of the electromechanical totalizer, when the power supply is restored after a power failure or the voltage of the supplied power is equal to or more than 20 volts. The storage device is Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM).
[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a main board is connected to a power supply which provides 24V and 5V voltage signal to the main board. The main board is provided with an E2PROM to store data. The main board is updated in real time by the total volume of fuel that is dispensed from a fuel dispenser. The updated value of total volume of the fuel been dispensed is termed as electronic totalizer (ET) count. The total volume of the fuel been dispensed is preserved and displayed on a display unit by the main board, A sensor and a key pad are connected to the main board. An Electromechanical totalizer (EMT) connected to

the main board receives the ET count from the main board. The EMT is updated with the ET count for every 1 litre or 100ml of fuel been dispensed from the fuel dispenser.
[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the voltage of the power supply goes below 24V, a low power signal is generated by the power supply to the main board. The low power signal is generated from a low power detection circuit provided in the power supply. The low power detection circuit is provided on the main board/other cards also. On reception of the low power signal by the main board, further dispensing of the fuel from the fuel dispenser is stopped. The ET count to be updated on the EMT by the main board is stored onto the E2PROM provided in the main board. The EMT count is read from the E2PROM by the main board and sent to the EMT for updating the data during the next power ON cycle. Following the updating of the ET count onto the EMT by the main board, the ET count stored on the E2PROM is erased by the main board.
E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of a system for reconciliation of fuel dispensed through the oil dispenser in an oil pump during power failure according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart explaining the method for reconciling the fuel dispensed through a dispenser in an oil pump during the power failure period according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] Although specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be

combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.
F) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0023] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for reconciliation of fuel of dispensed fuel volume between electronic totalizer (ET) and electromechanical totalizer (EMT) during power failure.
[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for reconciling oil delivery in petrol pumps has a power supply card provided with a low power supply detection circuit. A Main processor is connected to the power supply card and to the low power supply detection circuit. A storage device is provided in the main processor. Atleast one oil dispenser unit is connected to the main processor, Atleast one electromechanical totalizer is connected to the main processor. The main processor receives a detection signal from the low power supply detection circuit to output a control signal to stop the delivery of oil through the oil dispenser unit and stops the updating process in the electromechanical totalizer, when low voltage power supply from the power supply card is detected by the low power supply detection circuit.
[0025] The main processor stores/outputs a signal to store the value of the oil
discharged through the oil dispenser in the storage device during the power failure

period, when power failure is detected by the low power supply detection circuit. The main processor updates/sends a signal or query to update the value in the electromechanical totalizer based on the value stored in the storage device, when the power supply is restored.
[0026] The system further comprises a display unit connected to the oil dispenser. The main processor outputs a signal to the electromechanical totalizer to update the value displayed on the electromechanical totalizer based on the value displayed on the display connected to an oil dispenser and not on the calculated value of oil dispensed through the oil dispenser.
[0027] The low power supply detection circuit forwards a low power supply detection signal to the main processor, when the voltage of the power supplied from the power supply falls below 20 volts. The low power supply detection circuit senses the power failure, when no power is supplied from the power supply. The main processor resets the storage device and deletes the data stored in the storage device after the updating of the electromechanical totalizer, when the power supply is restored after a power failure or the voltage of the supplied power is equal to or more than 20 volts. The storage device is Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM).
[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a main board is connected to a power supply which provides 24V and 5V voltage signal to the main board. The main board is provided with an E2PROM to store data. The main board is updated in real time by total volume of fuel been dispensed from a fuel dispenser. The updated value of total volume of the fuel been dispensed is termed as electronic totalizer (ET) count. The total volume of the fuel been dispensed is preserved and displayed on a display unit by the main board. A sensor and a key pad are connected to the main board. An Electromechanical totalizer (EMT) connected to the main board receives the ET count from the main board. The EMT is updated with the ET count for every 1 litre or 100ml of fuel been dispensed from the fuel dispenser.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention when the voltage of the power supply goes below 24V a low power signal is generated by the power supply to the main board. The low power signal is generated from a low power detection circuit provided in the power supply. The low power detection circuit is provided on the main board/ other cards also. On reception of the low power signal by the main board further dispense of the fuel from the fuel dispenser is stopped. The ET count to be updated on the EMT by the main board is stored onto the E2PROM provided in the main board. The EMT count is read from the E PROM by the main board and sent to the EMT for updating during next power ON cycle. Following the updating of the ET count onto the EMT by the main board, the ET count stored on the E2PROM is erased by the main board.
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of a system for reconciliation of fuel dispensed through the oil dispenser in an oil pump during power failure according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 1, a main board 101 is connected to a power supply 102 which provides 24V and 5V voltage signal to the main board 101. The main board 101 is provided with an E2PROM 103a to store data. Examples of the data stored on the E2PROM 103a include, but are not limited to fuel dispensed data and totalizer count. The main board 101 is updated in real time based on the total volume of fuel dispensed from a fuel dispenser. The updated value of total volume of the fuel dispensed is termed as electronic totalizer (ET) count. The total volume of the fuel dispensed is preserved and displayed on a display unit 104 by the main board 101. The main board 101 connected to the display unit 104 communicates through an I2C (inter-Integrated circuit) protocol or CAN (Controller Area Network) protocol or RS-485 (Recommended Standard-485) protocol. A sensor 105a, 105b and a key pad 106a, 106b are connected to the main board 101. The sensor 105a, 105b and the key pad 106a, 106b communicates with the main board 101 through either one of an I2C protocol, a CAN protocol or a RS-485 protocol. An Electromechanical totalizer (EMT) 107a, 107b connected to the main board 101 receives the ET count from the main board 101. The EMT 107a, 107b is

updated with the ET count for every 1 litre or 100ml of fuel been dispensed from the fuel dispenser depending on type of pump. The main board 101 communicates with the EMT 107a, 107b through port pins provided with voltage buffer circuit or RS-485 protocol or CAN protocol. At most eight sensors provided with EzPROM 103b, 103c, four keypads and eight EMT 107a, 107b are connected to the main board 101.
[0031] During power failure, when the voltage of the power supply 102 goes below 24V, a low power signal is generated by the power supply 102 to the main board 101. The low power signal is generated from a low power detection circuit provided in the power supply 102/main board/EMT. The low power signal is sensed by main board as well as other cards also. On reception of the low power signal by the main board 101 further dispense of the fuel from the fuel dispenser is stopped. The ET count to be updated on the EMT 107a by the main board 101 is stored onto the E2PROM 103a provided in the main board 101. The EMT count is read from the E2PROM 103a by the main board 101 and sent to the EMT 107a for updating during next power ON cycle. Following the updating of the ET count onto the EMT 107a by the main board 101, the ET count stored on the E2PROM 103a is erased by the main board 101. The ET count can also be stored in the internal EEPROM of the processor, main board EEPROM or any other external card. The sensors are used to output pulses to measure the volume of fuel dispensed during the operation of pump dispenser.
[0032] In one embodiment of the present invention, an Electronic card (E-card) 108 is connected to the main board 101 wherein the E-card is provided with the E2PROM to store the data. Examples of the data stored on the E2PROM include, but are not limited to fuel dispensed data and totalizer count. The main board 101 communicates with the E-card 108 through RS-485 protocol or I2C protocol or CAN protocol. During power failure, when the voltage of the power supplies 102 goes below 24V, a low power signal is generated from a low power detection circuit provided in the E-card 108. The low power signal is detected by the low power detection circuit in the power supply/main board or EMT and communicated to the main board 101. On reception of the low power signal by the main board 101, further dispensing of the

fuel from the fuel dispenser is stopped. The ET count to be updated is stored onto the E2PROM provided on the main board or Ecal card or other electronic card. The EMT count is updated based on the stored ET for updating during next power ON cycle.
[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensors 105a, 105b are provided with an E2PROM 103b, 103c (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) to store the data. Examples of the data stored on the E2PROM 103b, 103c include, but are not limited to fuel dispensed data and totalizer count.
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart explaining the method for reconciling the fuel dispensed through a dispenser in an oil pump during the power failure period according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 2, any low power signal from power supply is checked by a main board (201). If the low power signal is undetected, then Electronic totalizer (ET) count to be updated on electromechanical totalizer (EMT) is checked by the main board (202). The EMT is updated with the dispensed fuel volume as displayed on a display unit by the main board (203).
[0035] If the low power signal is detected by the main board, any dispense of fuel from the fuel dispenser is checked by the main board (204). In case of dispense from the fuel dispenser, dispense of the fuel is stopped. Then the relays and motors are switched OFF by the main board (205). The ET count to be updated on the EMT is stored on E2PROM by the main board. The stored ET count is read and updated on the EMT at next power ON cycle by the main board (206).
G) ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0036] Thus the various embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for reconciliation of dispensed fuel volume data between electronic totalizer (ET) and electromechanical totalizer (EMT) during power failure. The system ensures perfect match between the ET count, the EMT count and dispensed fuel volume as

indicated on the display unit. The system stores the dispensed fuel volume count displayed on display unit during power failure to update EMT at next power ON cycle.
[0037] Although the invention is described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.
[0038] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the present invention described herein and all the statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. A system for reconciling oil delivery in petrol pumps comprising:
A power supply card;
A Low power supply detection circuit;
A Main processor connected to the power supply card and to the low power
supply detection circuit;
A Storage device provided in the main processor;
Atleast one oil dispenser unit connected to the main processor; and
Atleast one electromechanical totalizer connected to the main processor;
Wherein the main processor receives a detection signal from the low power
supply detection circuit to output a control signal to stop the delivery of oil
through the oil dispenser unit and stops the updating process in the
electromechanical totalizer, when a low voltage power supply from the power
supply card is detected by the low power supply detection circuit.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the main processor outputs a signal to store the value of the oil discharged through the oil dispenser in the storage device during the power failure period, when a power failure is detected by the low power supply detection circuit.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the main processor outputs a signal to update the value in the electromechanical totalizer based on the value stored in the storage device, when the power supply is restored.
4. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a display unit connected to the oil dispenser.
5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the main processor outputs a signal to the electromechanical totalizer to update the value displayed on the electromechanical totalizer based on the value displayed on the display

connected to an oil dispenser and not on the calculated value of oil dispensed through the oil dispenser.
6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the low power supply detection circuit forwards a low power supply detection signal to the main processor, when the voltage of the power supplied from the power supply falls below 20 volts.
7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the low power supply detection circuit senses the power failure when no power is supplied from the power supply.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the main processor resets the storage device and deletes the data stored in the storage device after the updating of the electromechanical totalizer, when the power supply is restored after a power failure or the voltage of the supplied power is equal to or more than 20 volts.
9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the storage device is Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM).