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WO2018154351A1 - Procédé et système informatique pour la distribution contrôlée et incitative de carburants - Google Patents

Procédé et système informatique pour la distribution contrôlée et incitative de carburants Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018154351A1
WO2018154351A1 PCT/IB2017/050974 IB2017050974W WO2018154351A1 WO 2018154351 A1 WO2018154351 A1 WO 2018154351A1 IB 2017050974 W IB2017050974 W IB 2017050974W WO 2018154351 A1 WO2018154351 A1 WO 2018154351A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
supply
user
reward
metering
data
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2017/050974
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Claudio Giuliano
Original Assignee
Gp S.R.L.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gp S.R.L. filed Critical Gp S.R.L.
Priority to EP17717862.1A priority Critical patent/EP3586296A1/fr
Priority to PCT/IB2017/050974 priority patent/WO2018154351A1/fr
Publication of WO2018154351A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018154351A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • G06Q30/0207—Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates

Definitions

  • the present invention generally addresses methods and systems for processing product sale data and particularly relates to a method for controlled and incentivized distribution of fuels.
  • the invention further relates to a computer system for controlled and incentivized distribution of fuels.
  • the method uses a microprocessor system, which collects supply data and later associates it with a point collection system in which each allotted point corresponds to a minimum supply amount.
  • card designates any device adapted to record points, selected from the group comprising magnetic, chip and barcode media and other similar products comprising a data recording medium.
  • a first drawback of this prior art method is that the user is required to carry out point reading and writing steps to read and write the points accumulated and saved from time to time into the points card at each filling operation.
  • a further drawback of this method is that the right to a reward accrues with time and is directly related to the total amount of supplies within a period of time. [0010] Another drawback of this method is that the user is required to constantly refuel at the same filling station to increase the amount of accumulated points.
  • US2001 049626 discloses a method for promoting fuel sales by offering a discount for fuel as a reward for the purchase of products other than fuel in the store associated with the filling station.
  • the method also envisages a discount on non-fuel products that can be purchased in the store associated with the filling station according to the amount of fuel supplied.
  • This method assigns a personal code to each user of the service, through which the reward can be redeemed.
  • the transactions made by each user of the service are associated with the personal code and later recorded in a database.
  • This method has the drawback that the data exchanged between the user and the management system is transferred through a single communication network, i.e. the Internet, and there is a risk of conflict between metering data concerning deliveries and point management data.
  • a further drawback of this method is that the combination of these two types of data prevents proper use of a hardware and/or software device designed to protect the supply system against tampering.
  • the technical problem addressed by the present invention consists in providing a method and a computer system for controlled and incentivized distribution of fuels, that ensures total independence between the metering data flow and the system control and management data.
  • the object of the present invention is to overcome the above drawback, by providing a method and a computer system for controlled and incentivized distribution of fuels that are highly efficient and relatively cost- effective.
  • a particular object of the present invention is to solve the above technical problem by providing a method and a system of the aforementioned type that afford separation of the flow of metering data concerning fuel deliveries from the flow of data concerning control and management of the distribution system.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system of the aforementioned type that prevent alteration of metering data concerning supplies.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system of the above mentioned type that can use hardware and/or software devices for protecting the system.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system of the aforementioned type that allow a user to accumulate discounts on fuel even when refueling at a plurality of different filling stations.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system of the aforementioned type that allow a user of the supply service to be entitled to any rewards without any recording and without using cards.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system of the aforementioned type that allow a user of the supply service to use a promotion algorithm of stochastic type.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system of the aforementioned type that allow a provider of the supply service to know the daily supplied amount so that it can ensure a proportionate promotion.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system of the aforementioned type that allow a provider of the supply service to boost sales associated with "full service" deliveries, which are typically more expensive and profitable.
  • a method for controlled and incentivized distribution of fuels as defined in the independent claim 1 , which comprises a step of using a first algorithm to determine a first range of numbers with a maximum number of deliveries defining a favorable event for a user by generating a pseudorandom number and a step of using a second algorithm to determine merit percentages corresponding to predetermined threshold values and generate a second pseudo-random number.
  • the detection of metering and time data associated with the supply is a read-only operation and is separate from and independent of the operation of the first and second algorithms, to prevent alteration of the metering data associated with each supply by a respective station.
  • the invention relates to a computer system for controlled and incentivized distribution of fuels as defined in claim 4.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the method of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the computer system of the invention
  • FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a filling station of the system of Fig. 2.
  • Fuel is sold in a plurality of filling stations 2, as best shown in FIG. 2, and each comprises a plurality of supply units 3 and a computer network 4 associated therewith.
  • the method comprises a step of a) detecting metering data corresponding to amounts of fuel supplied to the user and time data concerning each supply and a step of b) assigning a serial number n to each fuel supply, according to the time data.
  • step of c) calculating a number of selections p available to the user U according to the amounts supplied and a step of d) using a first algorithm 5 to determine a first range of numbers ( ) with a maximum number of supplies in which a favorable event for a user U is defined by generating a first pseudo-random number a.
  • a user U who purchases fuel to an amount of 15 € will be entitled to one selection p, and a user who purchases fuel to an amount of 40 € will be entitled to two selections p.
  • the first pseudo-random number a may be generated from a first range of numbers of supplies, with a minimum number and a maximum number of deliveries as range limits.
  • the favorable event may consist in the availability by the user U is entitled to a reward that has been previously determined by the system manager G.
  • serial number n assigned to a respective supply is compared with the pseudo-random number a during the step e) to determine whether a favorable event susceptible of a reward exists.
  • the method further comprises a step f) of using a second algorithm 6 to determine merit percentages s ⁇ , S2, S3 corresponding to predetermined threshold values and generate a second pseudo-random number ⁇ .
  • the second pseudo-random number ⁇ is compared with the threshold values during the step g) for settling access to the reward for the favorable event for the user U.
  • the first pseudo-random number a and the second pseudo-random number ⁇ may be normalized to integers.
  • the detection of metering and time data associated with the supply is a read-only operation and is separate from and independent of the operation of the first 5 and second 6 algorithms, to prevent alteration of the metering data associated with each supply by a respective unit 3.
  • an additional step may be provided of j) cyclically calculating, using a third algorithm 7, a second range of numbers i 2 as a ratio between the number of current units and the total amount of daily supplies.
  • the system manager G may selectively change such ratio to set a range of numbers of supplies with limits other than the previously set limits, for the pseudo-random number a or ⁇ to be generated in such range.
  • the manager G may change the merit percentages and the threshold values Si , s 2 , s 3 that are designed to be compared with the second pseudo-random number ⁇ to restrict or increase availability for the users U to the reward.
  • the third algorithm 7 may be further configured to check the statistical consistency of said second range i 2 and the predetermined threshold values Si , s 2 , s 3 , even during operation of the first 5 and the second 6 algorithm, according to the total amount of rewards to be awarded during the day.
  • the invention relates to a system 1 for controlled and incentivized distribution of fuels that uses the above discussed method.
  • the system 1 comprises a metering device 8 associated with a respective supply unit 3 and an internal clock not shown, for detecting metering data concerning the supply, which comprises the amount of fuel supplied, the cash amount and the time data associated with each supply.
  • an electronic device 9 is provided at each suppliers 3, for determining a number of events corresponding to selections p available to the user U according to the amounts of fuel supplied.
  • Each electronic device 9 can be accessed by a user U through a digital interface 1 0 associated therewith, which provides data to the user U, concerning the supply, the availability and the amount of a reword.
  • the system 1 comprises a CPU 1 1 associated with a filling station 2 for an operator G to manage and control the system 1 and a software 12 installed on the CPU 1 1 to store data from the various suppliers 3.
  • the software 1 2 is configured to determine the availability to a reward for user U and the amount of the latter, for instance, as a function of the number of selections p available, which are stored in the CPU 1 1 .
  • the software 1 2 comprises one or more software programs in which the three algorithms 5, 6, 7 as described above concerning the method operate.
  • the software 1 2 may comprise a backup function, that can be selectively actuate during out-of-service events of each electronic device 9.
  • the aforementioned computer network 4 allows the CPU 1 1 to be connected to each electronic device 9 of the supply units 3.
  • the computer network 4 comprises a first serial communication line 1 3 for transmission of metering and time data associated with each supply and a second Ethernet line 14 for control and exchange of data among electronic devices 9.
  • the first serial communication line 1 3 is a oneway read-only line and is independent of and isolated from the second Ethernet communication line 14 to avoid any alteration of the metering supply data of each station 2.
  • the first serial communication line 1 3 is configured to operate with a RS-485 communication protocol
  • the second Ethernet communication line 14 is configured to operate with a TCP/IP communication protocol and is managed by a router 1 5 or an equivalent device.
  • the system comprises a first local server 1 6 with a first database 1 7 installed therein for storing, using the software 1 2, the metering data from the supply units 3 through the first serial communication line 13.
  • a second local server 1 8 is provided, with a second database 19 installed therein for storing, using the software 1 2, the amounts of the rewards through the second Ethernet communication line 14.
  • a main server 20 may be provided which is connected via an Ethernet network 21 , other than the second communication network 14, to the CPU 1 1 of each filling station 2.
  • the Ethernet network 21 for connecting the plurality of filling stations 2 may be managed via an encrypted VPN connection.
  • the main server 20 may have, loaded therein, a third database 22 for collecting the metering supply data from the plurality of filling stations 2 and a fourth database 23 for collecting the data of the reward amounts of the plurality of filling stations 2.
  • the present invention may find application in industry, because it can be produced on an industrial scale in fuel supply plants.

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  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Game Theory and Decision Science (AREA)
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé de distribution contrôlée et incitative de carburants dans une pluralité de stations (2) comprend les étapes consistant à a) détecter des données de mesure correspondant à des quantités de carburant fournies et des données de temps ; b) attribuer un numéro de série (n) à chaque approvisionnement en carburant ; c) calculer un nombre de sélections (p) disponibles pour l'utilisateur (U) en fonction des quantités fournies ; d) utiliser un premier algorithme (5) pour déterminer une première plage (i-i) avec un nombre maximal de livraisons dans lesquelles un événement favorable est défini en générant un premier nombre pseudo-aléatoire (a); e) comparer le nombre (n) avec le premier nombre (a) pour déterminer un événement favorable susceptible d'une récompense ; f) utiliser un second algorithme (6) pour déterminer des pourcentages de mérite (s-i, s2, s3) et générer un second nombre pseudo-aléatoire (β); g) comparer le second nombre (β) avec les valeurs de seuil (s-i, s2, s3) pour définir l'accès à la récompense pour ledit événement favorable ; h) transmettre la valeur de récompense au distributeur (3) et i) activer une instruction pour effectuer les sélections (p) et afficher la récompense. La détection de données de mesure et de temps concernant l'approvisionnement est distincte et indépendante du fonctionnement des premier (5) et second (6) algorithmes. L'invention concerne également un système (1) de distribution contrôlée et incitative de carburants.
PCT/IB2017/050974 2017-02-21 2017-02-21 Procédé et système informatique pour la distribution contrôlée et incitative de carburants WO2018154351A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP17717862.1A EP3586296A1 (fr) 2017-02-21 2017-02-21 Procédé et système informatique pour la distribution contrôlée et incitative de carburants
PCT/IB2017/050974 WO2018154351A1 (fr) 2017-02-21 2017-02-21 Procédé et système informatique pour la distribution contrôlée et incitative de carburants

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2017/050974 WO2018154351A1 (fr) 2017-02-21 2017-02-21 Procédé et système informatique pour la distribution contrôlée et incitative de carburants

Publications (1)

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WO2018154351A1 true WO2018154351A1 (fr) 2018-08-30

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EP (1) EP3586296A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2018154351A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3852576A (en) * 1972-03-29 1974-12-03 K Rudd Premium allocation device
US5790410A (en) * 1996-12-12 1998-08-04 Progressive International Electronics Fuel dispenser controller with data packet transfer command
US5867403A (en) * 1995-10-11 1999-02-02 Universal Epsco, Inc. Fuel dispenser
US20080126208A1 (en) * 1997-02-25 2008-05-29 Autogas Systems, Inc. System and method providing customer incentive to purchase fuel at a store
US20140278893A1 (en) * 2009-04-22 2014-09-18 Highlands Override, Inc. Reward program management system and method

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3852576A (en) * 1972-03-29 1974-12-03 K Rudd Premium allocation device
US5867403A (en) * 1995-10-11 1999-02-02 Universal Epsco, Inc. Fuel dispenser
US5790410A (en) * 1996-12-12 1998-08-04 Progressive International Electronics Fuel dispenser controller with data packet transfer command
US20080126208A1 (en) * 1997-02-25 2008-05-29 Autogas Systems, Inc. System and method providing customer incentive to purchase fuel at a store
US20140278893A1 (en) * 2009-04-22 2014-09-18 Highlands Override, Inc. Reward program management system and method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3586296A1 (fr) 2020-01-01

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