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CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CENTRAL CONTROL, MONITORING, AND
RECONCILIATION OF LIQUID PRODUCT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
[0001 ] Embodiments of the present invention extend to methods, systems and
computer program products associated with the delivery, tracking, and
reconciliation of
liquid and non-liquid product inventory. More particularly, embodiments of the
present
invention provide a system and method for tracking fuel deliveries from one
point of
distribution to another point of distribution, and for managing the total fuel
inventory at
the distribution location.
2. Background and Related Art
[0002] The American economy is driven by consumers, who purchase various
goods through, among other places, local retail distribution outlets. The vast
majority
of these goods is moved from the point of manufacture (or a coastal port for
goods
arriving from overseas) to the retail distribution point using millions of
tractor-trailer
combination rigs (hereinafter "trucks"). Each of these trucks must obtain fuel
at various
points across the country. In addition, tens of millions of personal vehicles
are on the
road on a daily basis. All of these vehicles must be refueled on a regular
basis, as well.
To satisfy this need, large and small scale fuel centers have been built in a
multitude of
locations all across the country.
[0003] One aspect of managing these fuel centers is maintaining an inventory
of
fixel. This fuel is generally stored in large underground storage tanks though
above
ground storage tanks may also be utilized. In larger facilities, there can be
multiple
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tanks storing the same kind of fuel. The tanks containing like product may
even be
manifolded together, allowing them to function as one larger tank. For
example, in
large truck stops, there can be several underground tanks that are used to
store No. 2
diesel fuel, which is the fuel that most of the trucks on the road currently
use. Other
tanks can be used to store, for example, kerosene, or other grades of diesel
type fuels.
Still other tanks are used to store regular unleaded gasoline'(i.e. 87 octane
at sea level),
while additional tanks are used to store premium unleaded gasoline (i.e. 91-93
octane at
sea level). In most facilities, all of the middle grades of gasoline are mixed
from these
two (regular and premium) tanks at the pump.
[U004] One problem encountered when managing a fuel center is maintaining an
accurate inventory amount, and cost of fuel on hand. Such inventory
information is
necessary in order to maintain the desired level of inventory and to cost it
appropriately
to the consumer, without running out of one or more of the various types of
fuel being
sold at the facility, and without attempting to fill an already full tank. For
obvious
reasons, running out of fuel is bad for business. Not only do you not make a
sale, but
you also risk alienating customers, who might choose to buy their fuel from
some other
retailer. Unfortunately, using current systems, even when fuel is ordered from
a
supplier, the retail facility has no idea when a delivery is going to take
place. When
multiple grades of fuel have been ordered, the facility does not know what
type of fuel
will be delivered first until a tanker truck pulls into the facility loaded
with fuel. With
small scale operations, it can be hours or even days between the time fuel is
ordered and
a delivery vehicle actually arrives. In larger operations, many fuel tankers
can arrive
every day to replenish fuel stocks. In order to know when to order additional
fuel, an
individual in the facility must manually track how much fuel is in the
underground
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storage tanks and, based on the current or projected sales volume, order
additional fuel
with a sufficient lead time to avoid shortages.
[OQUS] In order to accurately reflect the amount of fuel available, retail
facilities
must reconcile the "book value" of fuel, i.e. the amount of fuel determined
available
from the recording of invoices or transactions that have been delivered and/or
sold, with
the actual inventory on site. Currently, many fuel centers determine the
amount of fuel
stored in their various underground tanks using a 24 hour reconciliation
process.
During this current process, a reading is taken of the amount of fuel in an
underground
tank at one point in time. For example, suppose the fuel reading is taken at
midnight
every night. During the following day, a delivery is made, thus adding fuel to
the tank.
Additionally, a certain amount of fuel is pumped out of the tank, as numerous
customers
fill their individual gas/diesel tanks. At midnight the next night, another
fuel reading is
taken. The facility manager then attempts to reconcile the first reading by
adding the
amount of fuel delivered (based on the bill of lading from the delivery
driver), and
subtracting the amount of fuel dispensed to customers. Theoretically, this
should equal
the amount of fuel in the tank, as shown by the second reading.
[0006] Unfortunately, there are a great many factors that can affect not only
the
reading in the tank, but the measure of the amount of fuel delivered and sold,
as well.
Some of these factors can include fuel temperature (volume changes with
temperature),
waves or ripples in the tank that affect the reading on the tank fuel gauge,
incorrect
calibration of the fuel dispensing equipment at the loading rack or wholesale
site, fuel
leaks anywhere in the system, contamination such as water in the fuel,
incomplete
delivery of the fuel from the delivery tanker, or even outright fraud or theft
of fuel from
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the delivery tanker or the fuel center. These factors will be discussed in
more detail
below.
[0007] The volume of diesel fuel or gasoline is not a constant. It can change
significantly with temperature. There are several times during the inventory
life-cycle
that temperature is relevant to the amount of fuel volume. It is standard in
the industry
to measure a "net volume" which is the volume at a temperature of 60°F.
Gross volume
is defined as whatever the volume of the fuel is observed to be, regardless of
temperature, whether higher or lower than 60°F. In order to accurately
track the large
volumes going in and out of a storage tank, it can be highly desirable to
compensate for
these temperature differences.
[0008] With respect to temperature, when the fuel is initially loaded into the
delivery vehicle, it is at a first temperature. Depending on whether the large
tanks being
used to store the fuel are above or below ground, this temperature can range
from 40°F
to over 120°F, for example. The bill of lading will show that a certain
volume of fuel,
having a certain temperature and a certain density, was loaded into the
delivery vehicle.
There is a potential problem in that the volume, temperature, or density
readings can be
e~~roneous.
[U009] As the fuel is transported in the delivery vehicle, the temperature of
the fuel
loaded on the vehicle can change significantly. For example, if the fuel is
loaded from
an above ground tank at 100°F, and driven for several hours overnight,
for delivery in
the early morning hours, the fuel temperature at delivery can be significantly
lower than
the temperature at loading. Additionally, it is possible that some fuel
evaporates from
the delivery vehicle in those few hours. It is also possible that the delivery
vehicle has a
fixel leak. Finally, it is possible that the delivery driver arranged to
unload some of the
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fuel at an unauthorized stop. Such fuel thefts are possible. In all of the
above cases, the
gross volume of fuel that arnves at the retail site is not the same volume of
fuel that is
reflected on the bill of lading.
(U010( When the delivery vehicle arrives at the retail site, the driver is
told which
tank to unload the fuel into. As above, the temperature of the fuel in the
tank is
probably not the same as the temperature of the fuel in the delivery vehicle.
Additionally, some fuel can be lost to evaporation during the delivery
process.
Furthermore, when the driver indicates that the delivery has been completed
and the
delivery vehicle is empty, this may or may not be the case. Additionally,
current
systems provide no capability to measure and report the temperature of the
dispensed
fuel at the dispenser pump. Fuel volume changes due to temperature changes
occurring
between the storage tank and the dispenser pump are ignored or unaccounted for
using
current reconciliation systems.
[U011 ) Some tanker trucks can have a problem with the tanker retaining fuel,
even
when subsided fuel flow indicates the tanker is empty. For example, if the
tanker is
sitting on an incline, it is possible that a significant amount of fuel does
not reach the
dispensing point in the tanker. It is also possible for some tankers to have
flaws in their
design or construction which allows for some fuel to be retained. Finally, as
the fuel is
unloaded from the tanker, pressurized air is introduced into the tanker to
replace the
volume of fuel being dispensed into the underground tank. If this air is not
sufficiently
pressurized, or if the pressurized air source is not properly connected, the
internal and
external pressures can equalize without all of the fuel being dispensed from
the tanker.
[t7012) When the fuel is being dispensed into a vehicle, the temperature of
the fuel
as it comes out of the dispenser can also be a consideration in determining
the actual
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fuel volume in the tank. An error in the calibration of the pump can result in
an
inaccurate reading of the volume of fuel dispensed. Additionally, it can be
possible to
tamper with the pulser and totalizer, which measures the volume of fuel
flowing
through the pump, thus resulting in inaccurate volume measurements.
[U013] Current fuel reconciliation processes fail to account for all of the
various
factors discussed above. For example, no one currently has the ability to
reliably
mticipate when a delivery is going to actually be initiated by a tanker
driver. When the
driver shows up, a retail facility receives a delivery and retroactively
determines the
timing of positive volume change. It can also be difficult using current
systems to know
if' a driver is delivering the product to the correct tank. Current systems
allow the
facility manager to know that a delivery is taking place because the facility
manager can
see an increase in the level of the tank. Unfortunately, as previously
discussed, in high
volume facilities it is possible for the level of the tank to drop even while
a delivery is
being made. This can happen, for example, when fuel is being dispensed from a
plurality of pumps faster than the fuel is being delivered into the
underground tank.
[0014] Additionally, given that current systems only attempt to reconcile the
inventory on a periodic basis, it is impossible for current systems to detect
in a timely
manner whether or not a full load was delivered upon driver acknowledgment of
delivery completion. In low volume systems, it can be possible to wait until a
slow
period, isolate a particular tank, and reconcile the book to net volume. A
delivery can
then be made, new measurements taken, and the facility manager will have at
least
some idea of whether or not all of the fuel was delivered in the quantity
expected. In
high volume systems, this process can be complicated by the fact that there
are constant
ripples in the tank when fuel is being pumped in or out necessitating several
ripple-
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campensating readings to be taken. This is further complicated by the fact
that each
successive reading is biased by the incremental amount of the fuel then
dispensed. The
float gauges currently used to measure the tank volume in and of themselves,
cannot
accurately measure the volume due to these ripples and the fact that aggregate
volume is
constantly changing due to ongoing fuel dispensing.
[0015] An additional problem with current delivery systems is the potential
for
excess water to be delivered with the fuel. Since the fuel is lighter than the
water, the
water in a large fuel tank will eventually settle to the bottom. Tank gauges
include a
dual float system, where one float measures the level of the fuel, and another
float
measures the level of the water. If too much water is present in the
underground storage
tank, the dispenser that dispenses fuel into customer's vehicles can begin
dispensing
fuel contaminated with water. Such contaminated fuel can cause major damage to
modem engines. Current reconciliation systems can provide no real time
indication as
to how much water was pumped into a tank during a delivery.
[0016] Another problem with current delivery systems is that no one knows when
a
delivery will arrive. Consequently, it is necessary to make a determination,
when the
tanker arrives, as to which fuel storage tank will receive the fuel from the
tanker.
Occasionally, different types of fuel become inadvertently mixed in a tank.
For
example, diesel fuel is delivered into the unleaded fuel tank. If no one is
physically
watching which tank the delivery driver is unloading into, such a mistake
might not be
noticed until many vehicles have filled up with contaminated fuel, and the
retail facility
receives one or more telephone calls reporting problems.
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SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0017] The present inventions overcome these problems by providing various
methods, systems, and devices. In one configuration, the present invention can
include
systems and methods for the central control and monitoring of product delivery
based
on anticipation of delivery through a request and authorization of product
drop process.
Prior to delivery of a product, the driver requests and receives authorization
from a
centralized service, such as a corporate based Central Inventory Management
system, or
CIM, sending authorization data to the driver and/or the retail facility to
receive the
liquid product. The driver can provide the CIM with information on the bill-of
lading,
e.g., product type, density, temperature of the product at the rack from which
the driver
received the liquid product, gross gallons, temperature corrected gallons,
etc. The
driver can also provide additional information such as the supplier, the
terminal where
the product was loaded, the carrier, driver's information, etc. In some
embodiments, the
driver can provide all of this information electronically using a portable
computing
device located in the truck to wirelessly communicate this data between the
terminal,
the CIM, and/or the retail facility. The CIM can grant authorization following
a series
o:f appropriate interactions between the terminal, the CIM, the carrier, the
driver and the
facility where the delivery or drop will occur. As part of the anticipation of
a drop, the
pecific tank to receive the product can be identified and flagged. That
particular tank,
as well as all other tanks at the facility, can be monitored to determine in
real-time if the
drop occurs at the proper tank. Further, monitoring of water content can occur
to
prevent delivery of the water to the customer through the dispenser.
(0018] In another configuration, the present invention can automatically
shutdown a
common air flow solenoid valve on the delivery vehicle during an improper or
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unauthorized drop; thereby minimizing the amount of product actually delivered
into
the wrong tank. During the central control and monitoring described above, if
it is
determined that the wrong tank is receiving the wrong type of product, that
the drop is
unauthorized, or that the water content is too high, the central control
system, i.e., the
corporate based management system or CIM, can indicate such to the facility
and
initiate a lockdown of the delivery vehicle's control valve. In addition,
where
appropriate, the dispensers can be shut down to mitigate any damage to a
customer's
vehicle.
(0019] According to another configuration, the present invention can perform a
virtual real-time book to physical reconciliation process regardless of on-
going sales
transactions. The system and method associated with this process can rapidly
accumulate measurement data over an adjustable time period for various
physical
measurement devices within the system, and the status of all sales
transactions during
the reconciliation process. This data can then be used to update a perpetual
book
balance, i.e., data stored at the CIM that reflects the inventory of liquid
product at one
or more retail facilities based upon invoices, bill of lading, and pump
readings. This
data can then be used to generate a smooth curve. Statistical and other
analytical
methods can then be applied to the data to generate another data set having a
synchronized time stamp. Thereafter, book to physical inventory can be
reconciled and
various exceptions reports can be generated and posted as appropriate.
[U020] In still another configuration, the present invention includes methods
and
systems for determining the physical volume of inventory within a tank at a
point in
time by collecting volume data across various times and manipulating the data
to
eliminate or compensate for the effects of liquid movement during the drop and
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dispensing process. In order to determine the amount of liquid product within
a tank,
the difference in volume meter readings is taken at rapid intervals. Because
there is an
inherent attenuated wave or ripple motion upon the initial drop of the product
in the
tank, and because turbulence occurs as the pickup tube vibrates when product
flows
through the dispenser, embodiments of the invention provide for methods and
systems
of compensating for the wave or ripple motion by using a filtering process to
eliminate
obvious and statistical errors with the data, and bring the remaining data
back to a
common time stamp for reconciliation purposes. A confidence level can be
generated
which is a function of the remaining sample size and the calculated standard
deviation
of the sample. The sample size can be manipulated by adjusting the time
allowed for
data collection.
[0021] The system and methods of the present invention can also incorporate a
process for providing virtual real-time status, sales transactions and various
states of
existence for each dispenser. The embodiments of the invention can be
configured to
monitor the various states of the dispensers to separate those transactions
that should be
included in adjusted physical inventory v. adjusted book value. If the status
of the sale
i:; an interim sales transaction, then it should be included in the physical
inventory.
Cltherwise, if it is a closed transaction (i.e., either sent or awaiting to be
sent to the
C;IM), it should be included in the adjusted book value. In addition, the
system can
determine and delete duplicate copies of closed transactions, i.e.,
transactions that were
waiting to be sent at the beginning of the reconciliation process, but have
since been
updated on the book balance at the CIM.
[0022] Embodiments of the invention can also utilize a dedicated totalizer
within
each dispenser to gather data for use in the reconciliation process. In
addition to pump
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head totalizers within a dispenser, the embodiments also provide for a
dedicated
totalizer located in parallel with the standard totalizer. This additional
totalizer can be
utilized for several different purposes. For example, readings from the
additional
totalizer can be compared to volumes reported from the weights and measurement
certified pump for determining an appropriate pulse to gallon conversion
ratio. This
conversion ratio can then be used during the next reconciliation process to
convert real-
tune pulses to real-time gallons. Further, this change in conversion can also
be
monitored such that if it deviates by more than some predetermined threshold,
an
exception can be raised and appropriate action taken. This process can also
determine
other problems in the system, such as theft, a bad pump head totalizer, a bad
pulser that
drives the totalizer and/or even a problem with the proprietary totalizer.
[0023] Embodiments of the present invention can also provide for methods and ,
systems for reconciliation at the beginning and ending period of a delivery
(as well as at
predetermined period intervals). This allows, among other things, for the
system to
automatically determine if the full amount of the load (as indicated in the
bill-of lading)
was delivered. If not, the driver and/or drop facility can be immediately
notified of the
iwegularity and the appropriate action can be taken. For example, if the full
amount of
the drop wasn't achieved due to a flaw in the truck design, then proper
compensation
and reconciliation or recording can be made. In addition, the irregularity can
be an
indication of theft or other fraudulent activity, which can immediately be
identified.
Tlais embodiment also provides for the continued periodic reconciliation of
fuel product.
This allows for the immediate notification of deviations such as theft in
order to identify
the culprit.
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[0024) According to another configuration, embodiments of the present
invention
can enable end-to-end temperature probing at every point of physical
measurement of
the liquid product. This allows standardizing of the volume across the fuel
management
system and takes into account the thermal expansion properties of the liquid;
the
thermal expansion needs to be accounted for in each transaction and in each
reconciliation process executed to achieve an accurate accounting. Embodiments
of the
present invention provide for taking temperature readings at every point of
physical
measurement, i.e., at the loading rack, the inventory tank and the fuel sales
dispenser.
Each of these temperature readings has a time stamp associated therewith in
order to
allow for the virtual real-time perpetual book to physical fuel reconciliation
process
described above. Accordingly, the systems and methods of the present invention
use
these time stamp temperature readings for compensating for the difference in
measured
volume due to temperature differences at each point of physical measurement in
order
to accurately perform fuel reconciliation. In addition, the embodiments of the
present
invention can report gross and net volumes using temperature readings at the
dispenser.
[0025] In still another configuration, embodiments of the present invention
can use
a dynamic expansion coefficient of product relative to the temperature changes
with
density to maintain the perpetual net inventory book balance. Based on the
American
Petroleum Institute (API) gravity reported at the rack in the bill of lading,
the present
invention can maintain representative density values throughout the life cycle
of
product within the system using coefficients of expansion, initial density and
liquid
temperature measurements for determining the actual amount of product used and
remaining in the tank. In other words, this embodiment is capable of using
expansion
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coefficients for performing a gross to net conversion for every transaction
before
posting to the net perpetual book balance at the CIM.
[0026] The present invention also includes the real-time communication of
temperature and volume readings directly from the dispenser for reconciliation
purposes. This invention provides for the ability to report (e.g., via wire or
wireless
signaling) on a real-time basis, temperature and volume readings. This is a
feature that
allows the reconciliation process to be performed irregardless of pump or
transaction
status. There is also a dedicated control module within each dispenser for
assigning
time stamps to the temperature, volume and pump status readings. The clock
indicates
how the offset from the time that has passed since the initiation of the
reconcile process.
This offset is then added to the current time at the retail facility for
ensuring that the
time stamp of the measurement data corresponds to the time on the retail
system.
[0027] The present invention also relates to automatically assigning
variances,
calculating out the difference between explained variances and unexplained
variances,
and providing reports relating thereto. Through the use of trend analysis and
compensating for explained variances, this invention may allow for then
automatic
determination of pumps/dispensers or racks in need of calibration, tank
leakage, theft,
product retention in the earner tank, or other unexplained static or dynamic
variances.
[0028] This specification includes, but is not limited to, the enclosed
background,
summary, description of the drawings, detailed description, claims, as well as
the
enclosed "Liquid Product Inventory Reconciliation Guide" and Exhibits A-U,
which are
enclosed as part of the specification in Schedule "A" hereof.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other
advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular
description
of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to
specific
embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.
Understanding
that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of'the invention and are
not
therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be
described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the
accompanying
drawings in which:
[0030] Figure 1 illustrates a general overview of a system for the delivery,
tracking,
and reconciliation of liquid product inventory according to one embodiment of
the
present invention;
[0031] Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart of one method of implementing the
system
of Figure 1;
[0032] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic representation of a dispenser at a
retail
facility of the system of Figure 1;
[0033] Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary graphical representation of the
volume vs.
height graph usable in the tank calibration process of the present invention;
[0034] Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary graphical representation of the
volume vs.
variance usable in the tank calibration process of the present invention;
[0035] Figure 6 illustrates another exemplary graphical representation of the
volume vs. height graph usable in the tank calibration process of the present
invention;
[U036] Figure 7 illustrates another exemplary graphical representation of the
volume vs. variance usable in the tank calibration process of the present
invention; and
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[0037] Figure 8 illustrates a schematic representation of a computer and
associated
systems within which the system of Figure 1 can be implemented.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0038] Embodiments of the present invention extend to methods, systems and
computer program products associated with the delivery, tracking, and
reconciliation of
liquid and non-liquid product inventory. The embodiments can comprise a
special
purpose or general-purpose computer including various computer hardware, as
discussed in greater detail below.
[0039] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to systems and
methods for liquid product inventory reconciliation between the physical
measurements
of the product stored in a storage tank when compared to the book balance of
the
amount of product sold (i.e. pumped out of the storage tank) and the amount of
product
delivered (i.e. pumped or otherwise delivered to the storage tank). Although
the
following description of the embodiments of the present invention will
typically refer to
petroleum fuels as the liquid product, the following embodiments are equally
applicable
to other liquid and non-liquid products for which reconciliation between the
physical
product and the book balance is desired. Accordingly, the following discussion
referencing petroleum products or other specific products for reconciliation
is used for
illustrative purposes only and it is not meant to limit or otherwise narrow
the scope of
the present invention unless otherwise explicitly claimed.
(0040] The first embodiment of the present invention provides a system and
method
for the central control and monitoring of product delivery placement based on
an
anticipation of delivery through a request and authorization process. This
load/delivery
authorization process provides for an aggregate procurement control with a
centralized
monitoring system that is capable of identifying irregularities in a real-time
manner iri
order to immediately rectify such irregularities.
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[0041] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a system 100 within which an
embodiment
of the invention can be practiced. Figure 2 illustrates one embodiment of a
method 180
that implements the process using system 100. The system illustratively
represents the
processes and methods for supplying a liquid product to a carrier from a fuel
source or
rack (i.e. a wholesale distribution storage unit), delivering the liquid
product to a retail
facility, and dispensing the liquid product into a consumer's vehicle or other
container.
In the system illustrated in Figure 1, a fuel source or rack 105 contains a
quantity of
liquid product. The rack 105 includes or can be connected to a computerized
system
that communicates with a corporate based or centralized inventory management
(CIM)
system 120. The CIM system 120, in turn, can be connected to one or more
retail
systems 130, located at one or more retail facilities or sites, which form
part of a
computer system used to run a retail fuel center or facility that includes one
or more
product storage tanks 155. In some embodiments, the CIM system 120 can be
connected to dozens of individual retail system's I30, each having unique and
time
specific needs for fuel deliveries.
[0042] With continued reference to Figures 1 and 2, a driver or carrier 1 i 0
will
typically request delivery instructions (a.k.a. a supply option) to deliver to
a branch or
retail operator. The carrier 110 may request such an instruction from the CIM
system
120 using a portable computnng device, for example. This request is
represented by
block 182 in Figure 2. The CIM system 120 will reference the most economical
order
placed for a particular retail operator or branch. For example, because the
CIM system
120 is capable of monitoring the needs of several retail systems 130, the CIM
system
120 can determine those branches that are in greater need of fuel product
relative to
other branches. In addition, the CIM system 120 can take other factors into
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consideration such as the geographical location of the carrier I 10 relative
to a rack I05
where the product should be loaded, as well as the relative geographic
relationship
between the carrier 110, the rack 105 and the retail system 130.
[0043] Upon taking these and other factors into consideration, and as part of
request
I82, the CIM system 120 can post an order with an order number to the carrier
110 and
to the referenced Rack 105. The carrier 110 can then accept the order or
reject the same
with a meaningful reason code. Upon arrival at the terminal rack 105, the
driver can
reference the supply order with the order number supplied. The above processes
and
following processes can all be automated, that is the carrier 110 can request
the supply
option from a computing device via, e.g., the Internet, and CIM system 120 can
post the
order back to the driver and rack simultaneously via a similar automated
computing
network. Of course, this automated procedure can be performed through various
mediums, e.g., wireless communications such as infrared, or radio frequency
communication. Accordingly, the use of the Internet for relaying information
in this
embodiment and subsequent embodiments is for illustrative purposes only and it
is not
meant to limit or otherwise narrow the scope of the present invention unless
otherwise
explicitly claimed.
[0044] It should be noted that any of the following processes can utilize a
similar
automated process to those described above. Accordingly, although a particular
automated process will not be referenced in the following examples and
description, it
should be understood that the following methods and systems utilize computing
components in order to fully automate and efficiently practice the embodiments
of the
present invention. In the embodiments discussed below, it can be generally
assumed
that there is a computer at the rack 105, a computer with the carrier 110, a
computer at
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CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
the C1M system 120 and a computer at the retail system 130, all of which have
the
capability to at least communicate with one or more of the disclosed systems
using the
Internet, wireless, infrared, 1RF communications, etc. Further, each of the
components
used to measure temperature, tank volume, flow rate, etc. and perform the
reconciliation
processes can utilize or include computer components. General details
concerning the
types of computer systems that can be used are discussed below with reference
to
Figure 8.
[0045] When the earner 110 accepts (or possibly even rejects) the order, the
CIM
system 120 can update the status of the order and forward ordering details to
the loading
terminal or rack 105. If the carrier 110 rejects the order, he can send a
rejection code
indicating the reason for the rejection back to the CIM system 120. For
example, the
truck may have developed a maintenance problem requiring immediate attention,
so that
the carrier 110 cannot make an immediate pick up. Other reasons can include,
by way
of example and not limitation, the supplier is out of fuel, the terminal is
out of fuel, the
terminal is below a minimum amount of fuel, the carrier credit limit at the
facility has
been exceeded, the supplier allocation has been exceeded, there is
insufficient time for
the driver to make the delivery, or the driver or delivery vehicle are not
authorized to
receive deliveries at the facility.
[U046] In the event that the carrier 110 accepts the order, the carrier 110
can arrive
at the loading terminal or rack 105, and reference the order with the order
number
previously received from the C1M system 120. The loading terminal or rack 105
references the order detail via the order number and authorizes constrained
loading for
the carrier 110 in accordance with the order detail received from the ClM
system 120.
The carrier then receives delivery of the product in a delivery vehicle, as
represented by
- Page 19 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
block 184 of Figure 2. Once the product is loaded into the delivery vehicle, a
computer
located at the rack 105 or loading terminal forwards an electronic transaction
record
(ETR) to the corporate dispatch/central ordering system of the CIM system 120
thereby
altering and updating the CIM system 120 with data indicative of the
completion of the
load.
[0047] At this time, the carrier 110 receives a paper bih-of lading (BOL) from
the
loading terminal or rack 105 that may subsequently be used as described below
in
appropriately and accurately updating the liquid product inventory book
balance during
the liquid product reconciliation process. The BOL information can be
substantially
similar to the information contained in the ETR, which can include some or all
of the
information discussed below in appropriate data fields. In some embodiments,
the ETR
is also sent to the carrier 110, for automated forwarding to the retail system
130 upon
arrival at the delivery site.
[0048] The BOL/ETR can include the route start and end time, a freight bill
number
and a truck and trailer or trailers numbers) as appropriate. Further, the BOL
can
include the customer name and customer >D, the supplier name and supplier ID,
the ship
from name and ship from ID and ship to name and the ship to m. Additionally,
the
BOL can include a date, a start and end time andlor a wait time. This BOL can
also
include the supplier BOL product name, product 1D, the gross volume, and the
net
volume as a function of temperature. Further, the BOL can include the BOL
volume
unit of measure (UOM), the density UOM, the temperature and the temperature
UOM,
th.e retail product name and the retail product ID. Other information can also
be
included on the BOL as appropriate or desired.
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[0049] The carrier 110 then transports the product in the delivery vehicle to
the
retail site or facility, as represented by block 186 in Figure 2. Upon
arriving at the
appropriate delivery site, i.e., the retail site or facility, the carrier 110
requests a delivery
authorization 115 by sending load arnval information to the CIM system 120, as
represented by block 188 in Figure 2. At this stage, the driver can provide
the CIM
system 120 with information from the BOL, e.g., the product type, density,
temperature
of the product at the rack 105, gross gallons, temperature corrected gallons,
i.e., net
gallons, etc. In some embodiments, this information can be provided by the
driver 110
to the retail system 130 using automated systems, such as, but not limited to,
wireless
transmission of the ETR to the retail system 130 and optionally to the CIM
system 120.
Since the CIM system 120 has alerted the retail site and its associated retail
system 130
that an inbound carrier is coming, the carrier 110 need only pull into the
parking lot and
electronically transmit the ETR data to the retail system 130. This saves a
great deal of
time over the current manual methods, and further decreases the chance of
human error.
[0050] It should be noted that the ETRlBOL can also be used to generate
various
accounting reports and/or journal entries within the CIM system 120 or the
retail system
130. For example, when the driver delivers the load, an entry can be made
reflecting an
account payable to both the earner and the fuel supplier from the retail
outlet. The
carrier can generate an entry reflecting an account payable to the driver and
an account
receivable from the retail outlet. The supplier can also generate an entry
reflecting an
account receivable from the retail outlet.
(U051] The carrier 110 can also provide additional information on the BOL such
as
the supplier, the terminal where the product was loaded or the rack location
105, the
earner 110 or driver information, etc. Upon appropriate interactions between
the rack
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CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
105, the CIM system 120 and the carrier 110, as well as the facility or retail
operator,
with associated retail system 130, where the drop will occur, the CIM system
120 can
grant authorization for the drop. These interactions can include a number of
different
steps. For example, the retail system I30 can verify that the product type and
product
volume match the requirements for the designated storage tank that is about to
receive
the drop. If this is not the case, a different storage tank can be identified
to receive the
drop. CIM system 120 will then reference the tank manifolds containing product
matching the transaction record and indicate an appropriate tank 155 for which
the
carrier 110 is to make a drop 170. The driver 110 can then proceed to the
designated
storage tank fill connection and begin making the various connections required
to
physically deliver the product from the delivery vehicle in to the storage
tank.
However, the driver does not actually begin the delivery process until he
receives
specific authorization.
[0052] Prior to giving the authorization to begin the physical product
delivery
process, exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide for a process
for
reconciling the quantity of liquid identified by the book records at the CIM
system 120,
to the physically quantity of liquid at the facility available for sell. As
will be described
in greater detail below, this process can be done in a virtual real-time
system even
during the dispensing of liquid product out of the tank 155. Of course, such
reconciliation can also be done while the retail operation system is static.
In any event,
after performing the book to physical reconciliation, the system can then post
the
transaction record to the driver for validation, where upon the carnet 110
validates the
transaction record and the CIIvI system 120 posts authorization to the driver
to drop the
fuel, as represented by block 190 in Figure 2.
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[0053] The carrier 110 then begins the delivery of the product in to the
designated
tank 155, as represented by block 192 in Figure 2. At this time, exemplary
embodiments provide for monitoring the flow rate of the various links relative
to the
flow height which provides several advantageous features. For example, the
system can
monitor the drop (by specifically monitoring the fuel height in the designated
storage
tank 155) in order to insure that the appropriate liquid product is dropped
into the
appropriate tank. This can be a function of the flow rate from the dispensers
relative to
the height of product in the tank. More specifcally, because the flow rate
through the
dispenser can be greater than the flow rate of the drop from the carrier 110
into the tank
155, this embodiment of the present invention can compensate and still
recognize into
which tank the Garner 110 is making the drop. If it is recognized that the
carrier 110 is
dropping in an unauthorized tank, then the appropriate action can be taken.
Additional
embodiments provide for an automatic or manually initiated shutoff process
that can
prevent fuel intermixing, e.g., that prevents diesel fuel from being dropped
into a
gasoline storage tank, or vice versa.
[0054] For example, exemplary embodiments provide that as the CIM system 120
or the retail system 130, as the case may be, are monitoring the various tanks
and notice
that an unauthorized drop is occurring, the central control system 120 can
indicate an
improper drop to the retail system 130. The retail system 130 can then
initiate a lock
down of the delivery vehicle control valve to interrupt the flow into the
wrong tank. In
other words, exemplary embodiments provide for the ability for a signal to be
transmitted from the retail system 130 to the carrier 110 during an improper
drop, which
triggers a solenoid and a valve that will automatically shut down the valve
and stop the
drop in order to mitigate damage. Still other embodiments provide that the
float
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adjustments can also be monitored such that if the water content in the tank
is too high,
thereby causing a risk that liquid product being pumped out of the dispensers
145
contains a high water content, then the C1M system 120, (or the retail system
itself 130,
as the case may be) can relay to the retail system 130 such information. The
dispensers
can also then be shutdown in a similar fashion as that of the carrier 110, to
mitigate any
damage to the customer's vehicle. In other words, as part of the anticipation
of a drop,
a specific tank to receive a product can be identified and flagged. That
particular tank,
as well as all other tanks at the facility, can be monitored to determine in
real-time if the
drop occurs at the proper tank. Further, real-time or near real-time
monitoring of water
content can occur to prevent delivery of the water to the customer through the
dispenser. In yet other embodiments, if the drop process is stopped due to
high water
content, the retail system 130 can automatically begin draining some of the
water from
the tank 155. As water vapor routinely condenses inside the tank 155, this
process is
done on a periodic basis regardless of the drop schedule.
[0055] Upon drop completion, the carrier 110 or driver notifies the CTM system
120, where upon the CIM system 120 updates its central book balance as per the
loading transaction record received from the rack 105 and confirmed by the
carrier 110.
Thereafter, the CIM system 120 performs another book to physical
reconciliation
process. In some embodiments, this reconciliation process accounts for volume
differences due to temperature and density of the product.
(0056] The CIM system 120 can then generate a real-time exception report of
various types and post it to the appropriate users. In other words, exemplary
embodiments provide for the reconciliation at the beginning and ending period
of a
delivery. This allows the system, among other things, to automatically
determine if the
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fiill amount of the load (as indicated in the BOL and loading ETR) was
delivered. If
not, the driver and/or drop or retail system or facility can be immediately
notified of the
irregularity and the appropriate action can be taken.
[0057] For example, if the second reconciliation process indicates that the
full
amount of product has not been received, the various connections can be
checked to
ensure appropriate air ventilation is being fed into the delivery vehicle to
effectuate
emptying of the delivery vehicle. A visual inspection of the delivery vehicle
can also be
conducted to ensure that the entire load has been dropped. It is possible that
the driver
might verify that the load has been completely delivered into the tank, but
the
reconciliation balance still shows a shortage. This could be an indication of
a
calibration error at the rack 105, an indication that there is a fuel leak
somewhere in the
system, an indication that an excessive amount of fuel has evaporated, or even
an
indication of theft by the driver.
[0058] As can be appreciated, irregularities from the reported drop versus
information provided in the BOL can occur for several reasons. For example,
flaws in
the truck design can cause fuel product to remain within the Garner 110.
Further, the
irregularity can be an indication that the carrier 110 was shorted at the rack
105 during
the load. Further, the irregularity can be an indication of a faulty valve or
that that
valve was not fully pressured in order to open allowing for the full drop of
the Liquid
product. Further, the irregularity can be an indication of theft or other
fraudulent
activity, which can immediately be identified through exemplary embodiments.
That is,
because the book to physical reconciliation process is performed on a real-
time basis
and immediately before and after a drop, the C1M system 120 can notify the
retail
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CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
facility's retail system 130 and the appropriate action can be taken depending
upon the
specific irregularity.
[0059] Through use of the reconciliation process of the present invention,
irregularities in tracked data can be identified and investigated within a
short period of
time. This is in contrast to existing systems where irregularities can not be
identified
for many hours following delivery of the liquid product to a'retail facility.
[00b0) It will be understood that there are various other reasons for the
system
identifying variances or irregularities between actual measured data and data
stored at
the CIM system 120 that represents what the actual measured data should be.
Table 1
below illustrates a list of some exemplary reasons, while other reasons for
the variances
can also occur.
Cate or Reason
Loading Incorrect Volume Measurement
Incorrect Densit Measurement
Incorrect Tem erature Measurement
Wron Product
Transporting Temperature Change
__ Trailer Evaporation
Trailer Leak
-.
Theft
Delivery Delivery Eva oration
E uipment Leak
Product / Tank Mismatch
Trailer Retain
On Si t Storage Incorrect Tank Calibration
Faulty Probe
Temperature Change
Tank Leak
Tank Evaporation
Theft
On Sight Plumbing: Temperature Change
Plumbing Leak
On Sight Dispensing Temperature Change
- Page 26 -
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Dis enser Leak
Dis enser Calibration
Pulser Tam erin
Pump Test Override
TABLE 1
[0061] During the various reconciliation processes, such as before and after a
delivery, the CIM system 120 can isolate some of the variance categories from
other
categories, thereby allowing a more accurate determination of the correlation
between
variance and the true causes for that variance. For example, if a variance
occurs during
a time period in which no delivery has taken place, but fuel has been pumped,
the
process can rule out the "Loading", "Transporting" and "Delivery" sections for
variance, so the process can more accurately correlate the variance to the "On
Site"
sections.
[0062] As will be described herein, the system can measure the temperature of
the
product at every point of volume measurement, and make a correction adjustment
to
bring the volume into net terms. This can minimize the effect that temperature
change
can have on variance.
[0063] The system can also determine a qualitative or a quantitative
correlation
between the variance and all of the variance factors. It can accomplish this
using
multiple regression analysis. This allows the system to be able to indicate if
there is a
leak in a fuel tank, pluming or dispensers. It also allows the system to
determine if a
dispenser needs to be recalibrated, if someone is stealing fuel, or if a truck
has a leak or
holds back fuel during a delivery. This is just some of the useful information
the CIM
system can provide.
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[0064] As implied above, other embodiments of the present invention also
provide
for the continued periodic reconciliation of fuel product. For example, the
reconciliation process can be performed continually throughout the day at five
minute
increments. This would allow for the immediate notification of deviations such
as theft
in order to identify the culprit and take the appropriate action. As will be
discussed in
greater detail below, the fuel reconciliation process can be also initiated
upon demand at
any given time throughout the day, even when high volumes of product are being
dispensed to customers. This embodiment of the reconciliation process provides
for an
accurate measure of all delivered and dispensed product, regardless of
temperature
variations throughout the system.
[0065] The discussion provided above with respect to Figures 1 and 2
illustrates a
general outline of a system and method that facilitate central control and
monitoring of
the delivery of liquid product in accordance with one embodiment of the
present
invention. Some specific aspects of this general discussion are provided in
more detail
below.
[0066] As mentioned above, the CIM system 120 can initiate a virtual real-time
perpetual book to physical reconciliation process. This virtual real-time book
to
physical reconciliation process can be performed regardless of on-going sales
transactions. Accordingly, direct reconciliation processes can happen
periodically
throughout the day or on demand, such as before and after delivery of the
liquid
product, thereby allowing for immediate identification and isolation of
problems within
the reconciliation process or the general delivery system. As described below
in greater
detail, the book to physical reconciliation process is described as a virtual
real-time
process due to the fact that the rapid read of measurement described below do
not
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CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
simultaneously occur because of latencies within the system and other
complications.
Nevertheless, these readings for meters, temperatures, tank height and other
physical
measurements can be brought back to a single point in time through various
processes
described below, such that the book to physical reconciliation can occur. That
is,
embodiments of the present invention provide for the rapid accumulation of
measurement data over an adjustable time period for various physical
measurement
devices within the system 100. This embodiment can also monitor the status of
all sales
transactions during the reconciliation process. This data is then used to
update a
perpetual book balance, i.e., the balance stored at the CIM system 120, and
generate a
smooth physical reading of the data that has been derived to a single time
stamp through
statistical and other analytical processes described below. Thereafter, book
to physical
inventory can be reconciled and various exception reports can be generated and
posted
as appropriate.
[0067] As previously mentioned, this virtual real-time book to physical
reconciliation process can take place on a scheduled basis, as a result of a
pre-specified
event (e.g., just prior to and after a load drop at a retail facility), or as
a result of a
manual user request. In any event, the fuel reconciliation request is
initiated by first
identifying the tank manifold ID(s) (i.e. the tank group) for which
reconciliation is to be
performed. Furthermore, a duration of time for which status should be
accumulated can
also be input into the initial setup. As would be recognized, this is an
adjustable time
period but can be predetermined and set within the system itself. As will be
recognized,
the longer the time period used to accumulate the data, the higher the
confidence level
and accuracy of the reconciliation or physical measurements for the
reconciliation
process. This time duration can be dynamically adjusted and or predetermined
and hard
- Page 29 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
coded within the system, and therefore any particular reference to how the
duration for
accumulating data is determined is used for illustrative purposes only and is
not meant
to limit or otherwise narrow the scope of the present invention unless
otherwise
explicitly claimed.
[0068] Typically, the C1M system 120 initiates the reconciliation process by
initiating a reconciliation request to the appropriate retail facilities
computing system,
which is the Retail Operating System or retail system 130. The retail system
130 then
initiates each critical measuring device. Such devices can include, but are
not limited
to, devices that provide liquid level measurements, liquid product temperature
at the
tank, at the dispenser, etc, dispenser sales measurements through meter
readings and
temperature readings 150, and dispenser temperature measurements. Data
acquisition
units 140 are utilized to rapidly collect or accumulate measurements and
assign a time
stamp to each measurement as appropriate. This rapid read of data can be
increased by
limiting the CPU processing power from other devices in order to accumulate
the
maximum amount of data within the specified time period. For example, the
reading of
leak detecting sensors or optical sensors that detect if there is condensation
or liquid
somewhere there shouldn't be, can be shut down during the rapid read process
in order
to utilize the CPU power of these probe interfaces thereby allowing the CPU to
focus on
reading physical measurement data, such as tank gauge height, dispenser
readings and
temperature readings throughout the tank manifold system.
[0069] As these data acquisition units 140 collect the measurement data from
the
various devices, the retail system 130 receives the measurement data and can
assign
precise time stamps to each one. These time stamps can then be sent along with
sales
status data to the CIM system 120. One example of a sample data series
according to
- Page 30 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
this embodiment can be found in Exhibit P of the attached Schedule A, that
forms part
of this disclosure.
[0070] The CIM system 120 can then update the perpetual inventory book balance
based off the virtual real-time sales reports based upon dispenser status.
Further, the
CIM system 120 can derive statistically smoothed physical readings at a single
point in
time. The CIM system 120 can then reconcile book inventory with physical
inventory
and generate various exception reports and post these reports to the
appropriate users.
(0071] As mentioned above, embodiments of the present invention can rapidly
accumulate data at various points in time to facilitate the above-described
reconciliation
process. This has many advantages. For example, the rapid accumulation of data
can
be used for the physical volume determination within the inventory tank at a
point in
time using the plurality of data measured during the time interval. In other
words, in
order to determine the amount of liquid product within a tank, the difference
in volume
meter readings is taken at rapid intervals. Due to an inherent attenuation
wave motion
of the surface of the liquid in the tank after the drop of the product into
the tank, it can
be difficult to accurately determine the physical volume of the liquid within
the tank.
Additionally, the pickup tube 1b0 vibrates when product flows through the
dispenser,
causing additional turbulence and again making it difficult to accurately
determine the
physical volume of the liquid within the tank.
[0072] Embodiments of the present invention provide a system to remedy the
adverse affects of this wave motion during a reconciliation process. In
essence, this
embodiment first filters out the rapidly accumulated data representative of
liquid
volumes and heights to eliminate various blip spikes that are not
representative of the
possible. Thus, for example, unreliable data such as data indicating a
predetermined
- Page 31 -
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volume that is more or less than a maximum tank volume or one or more other
volumes
of liquid identified as unreliable is filtered out.
[0073] After this initial filter, next a statistical method is used to
determine a sample
mean and a sample standard deviation of the data. Using this data, the system
discards
data acquisition measurements for the tank volume outside of so many
deviations,
thereby filtering the data set twice. For instance, the user can select X
number of
deviations and the system discards any acquired data that is outside the X
number of
deviations. Thus, for example, any measurement data that has a value that is
more or
less than a predetermined number of standard deviations from the mean is
eliminated.
The remaining data sets are then used to determine the actual volume within
the tank at
a specific point in time.
[0074] For example, based upon the duration of the sample request, a deviation
threshold below and above the standard type of reading, and the deviation
allowable
above and below, is determined by multiplying the standard threshold level by
the
number of seconds in the request. If one uses, for example, 100 gallons as the
standard
threshold level, and the reconciliation period is ten (10) seconds, times 10
seconds,
then the threshold level would be plus or minus 1000 gallons from that
standard high
reading. Data readings that fall above or below that 1000 gallon threshold are
ignored
in the subsequent step. The threshold levels are used as the first cut to
identify what
things are obviously erroneous, which generates a secondary data set that is
filtered. It
is then possible to calculate a standard deviation for that sub-sample set and
that filter
sub-sample set. Then a sample mean is calculated for that filtered sub-sampled
set
which provides a perimeter or threshold that allows us to take plus or minus X
standard
deviations and set a new ceiling and floor for height readings or volume
readings for the
- Page 32 -
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tank, manifold volume readings, etc. Therefore, any of the volume readings
that are
within plus or minus X standard deviations are determined to be statistically
correct.
Readings that are more or less than a predetermined number of standard
deviations from
the standard mean are filtered out. These remaining values are included in a
third sub-
set sample for which a third sub-set sample mean and standard deviation can be
calculated. These can be used to determine a confidence interval in terms of a
unit of
measure, such as volume. Alternately volume can be put into the formula and
one can
then determine, in terms of percentage, a confidence interval within that
volume.
Temperatures can also be similarly filtered.
[0075] Thus one embodiment of a method of filtering physical volume
determinations within an inventory tank at a point in time in order to
compensate for
waves within the tank comprises: (1) receiving a plurality of measurement data
at a
plurality of times, each measurement data representing a volume of liquid
product
within a tank; (2) comparing each volume of liquid against at least one
predetermined
valume; (3) generating a second set of measurement data by eliminating any
measurement data from said plurality of measurement data any data
corresponding to
said at least one predetermined volume; (4) determining a sample mean and a
standard
deviation for said second set of measurement data; and (5) filtering said
second set of
measurement data to generate a third set of measurement data by eliminating
any
measurement data from said second set of measurement data that has a value
that is
more or less than a predetermined number of said standard deviations from said
standard mean. The predetermined volume may be identified as being unreliable.
Data
that is identified as unreliable may be, for example, (A) a volume of liquid
that is more
than a maximum tank volume; (B) a volume of liquid that is less than a minimum
tank
- Page 33 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
volume; or (C) one or more other volumes of liquid that are identified as
being
unreliable.
[0076] Embodiments of the present invention can also measure the volume
flowing
through dispensers 145 at each of the plurality of times or at various times
over the time
interval for a reconciliation process. Using the product flow and the tank
readings that
have been filtered, and as discussed above, each reading is adjusted
backwards, one by
one, to a single time of reconciliation, and then analyzed. This method
compensates for
the ripple/wave effect within the tank on a real-time, or time stamped basis.
[0077] In addition to bringing tank volumes to a single point in time, the
system can
rapidly accumulate data for meter readings and temperatures at the dispenser
145 and
bring meter readings and temperature readings 150 corresponding to the
dispenser 145
back to a single point in time. A confidence level for both tank measurements
and the
dispenser readings can be generated based on the above described standard
deviation,
which is a function of the duration of the reconciliation process and the
number of data
points accumulated during this time period. Therefore, the longer the system
collects
data and performs the reconciliation process, the greater the reliability of
the data and
results.
[0078] As previously mentioned, the system incorporates a process of providing
virtual real-time status of sales transactions. This embodiment is configured
to monitor
th.e various states of transactions to separate those transactions that should
be included
in an adjusted physical inventory versus adjusted book value. In other words,
the
variance is the adjusted physical volume minus the adjusted book value. The
adjusted
physical volume comprises both net interim sales plus the net physical tank
volume.
- Page 34 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
The net sales closed and the net deliveries are then subtracted from the net
beginning
value or the beginning book value in order to come up with an adjusted book
value.
[0079] Net interim sales are divided into several categories in accordance
with
exemplary embodiments of the present invention. These include interim open,
interim
complete and interim stack. An interim open means that a transaction is
occurring (i.e.,
sales transaction) at the time of reconciliation. In other words, the handle
is off of the
pump dispenser 145 and is either accumulating volume or has the capability of
increasing the volume flow. An interim complete transaction occurs upon the
hanging
up of the nozzle but before the transaction has beemfully closed, i.e.,
payment has been
made and accepted. Interim stack, which is an extension of the interim
complete,
indicates that either another interim open or interim complete, or multiples
thereof for
interim complete, resides on the same dispenser. For example, after one
interim
complete sale, another customer can start using the pump prior to the closure
of the
transaction, i.e., payment has been made and accepted, that was previously
considered
m interim complete. All of these interim open, complete and stacked values
then make
up the net interim sales that are used for the adjusted physical value in
determining the
variant.
[0080] Closed transactions can also include two states. These include closed
transactions that are waiting to be sent to the CIM system 120, and those
closed
transactions that have been sent to the CIM system 120 from the retail system
130.
These closed txansactions should be included in the adjusted book value, but
there also
needs to be a mechanism whereby duplications are excluded. Accordingly,
exemplary
embodiments provide for determining and deleting duplicate copies of closed
transactions, i.e., transactions that were waiting to be sent at the beginning
of the
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CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
reconciliation process, which have since been updated on the book balance at
the CIM
system 120. As would be recognized, this advantageous feature can be
accomplished in
many ways. For example, a comparison of closed transactions posted before or
at the
initiation of the reconciliation process and at the close of the initiation
process can be
compared, and duplicates extracted. Alternatively, an exception can be raised
such that
no closed transactions can be recorded to the C1M during the reconciliation
time period.
Other well known ways of determining duplicate reporting for closed
transactions are
also available. Accordingly, the specific process or system for determining
duplicate
closed sales transactions outlined above is provided for illustrative purposes
only, and is
not meant to limit or otherwise narrow the scope of the present invention
unless
explicitly claimed.
[0081] When a dispenser 145 is flagged as an interim sale or an interim
request,
e.g., an interim open, interim complete or interim stack, exemplary
embodiments
provide for the virtual real-time communication of temperature and volume
readings
directly from the dispenser for reconciliation purposes. The exemplary
embodiments
provide for the ability to report (e.g., via wire or wireless signaling), on a
real-time or
virtual real-time basis, temperature and volume readings. Related to the above
status of
sales transactions, this embodiment allows for the reconciliation process to
be
performed regardless of transaction status. There are dedicated control
modules within
each dispenser for assigning time stamps to the temperature, volume and pump
status
reads. The clock within the dedicated control module indicates the offset from
the time
that has passed since the initiation of the reconciliation process. This
offset is then
added to the reconciliation start time at the retail system for ensuring that
the time
stamp on the measurement data corresponds to the time stamp at the retail
system.
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[0082] To help describe the reconciliation process and the pmcess of bringing
each
measured value back to a single time to allow for accurate variance
calculations
between the book volume and the measured volume, the following example and
description of the reconciliation process is provided. Initially, once the CIM
system
120 receives the measurement data and the time stamps, it can begin the
reconciliation
process. This process can include converting the measured fuel level readings
to net
tank gallons. This can be achieved by determining the particular tank chart,
with
associated conversion processes representing the height and volume of the tank
based
upon specific tank identifiers. Once the fuel level and conversion process are
identified,
the fuel level readings are converted to gross volume having the same time
stamp as the
obtained fuel level reading.
[0083] Using this information, the location of the thermistors within the tank
are
determined, by accessing the appropriate thermistor position information
stored at the
CIM system 120, so that those thermistors that are at or below the lowest
measured fuel
level reading can be used to determine liquid temperatures. Once the specific
applicable thermistors are identified, the CIM system 120 can determine the
representative temperature for the liquid. Using this temperature and the API
gravity
(or other density measurement) for the product in the tank, the CIM system 120
can
generate an appropriate grass to net conversion factor, as per the ASTM
formula known
to those skilled in the art. With this conversion factor, the CIM system 120
can then
convert the gross inventory volume per fuel level to a net inventory volume
that can be
used for the reconciliation process. It will be understood that a similar
number of steps
can be taken to convert the interim gross sales volumes, i.e., the fuel
flowing out of the
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CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
selected tank, to a net volume, thus eliminating possibility of variance
caused by change
in temperature.
[0084] With the net inventory volume and net fuel recorded sales identified,
each
having an associated time stamp, the CIM system 120 can convert the individual
time-
stamped tank volumes to cumulative time-stamped volumes. This process can
include
sorting all time-stamped tank readings from the tank or rrianifold by their
respective
time stamps. For instance, for a 3-tank manifold the results could be:
Tank 3 reading @ 17:28:39:165-11658.32
gal
Tank 1 reading @ 17:28:39:377-11658.12
gal
Tank 2 reading @ 17:28:39:581-11736.27
gal
Tank 3 Reading @17:28:40:398-11658.36
gal
Tank 1 Reading @17:28:40:611-11602.34
gal
Tank 2 Reading @17:28:40:815-11733.20
gal
[(1085] With this ordered list, the CIM system 120 can order "series" of tank
readings by taking the first time-stamped fuel height reading (regardless of
which tank
is read first) and associating it with the closest time-stamped reading of
each additional
tank in the manifold. Each tank reading can only reside in one series. For
instance, for
a 3-tank manifold the results could be:
ank 3 reading @ 17:28:39:165-11658.32 gal
1St Series Tank 1 reading @ 17:28:39:377---11658.12 gal
Tank 2 reading @ 17:28:39:581-11736.27 gal
ank 3 Reading @17:28:40:398-11658.36 gal
2"d Series Tank 1 Reading @17:28:40:611-11602.34 gal
Tank 2 Reading @17:28:40:815-11733.20 gal
N~' Series
*
[0086] Using only those tank readings that comprise a complete series, the CIM
system 120 can calculate the time difference between the first time in the
series and
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CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
every time in the series. For instance, the first tank series could provide
the following
results:
Difference
Tank 3 reading @ 17:28:39:165- 0
Tank 1 reading @ 17:28:39:377- 212
Tank 2 reading @ 17:28:39:581- 416
[0087] With the differences calculated, the CIM system 120 averages the
differences in time and then adds the average difference back to the first
time from the
series to determine a cumulative series time stamp. For instance, the average
for the
above-identified first series can be 209.33, so the cumulative series time
stamp is
17:28:39:165 + 209.33 = 17:28:39:374.
[U088] With this cumulative series time stamp identified, the CIM system 120
can
then sum the volumes from each reading in the series and assign the summed
volume to
the cumulative series time stamp. The first time-stamped series becomes the
"Time of
Reconciliation." So, in the example herein, the summed volume would be
Tank 3 reading-11658.32 gal
+Tank 1 reading-11658.12 gal
+Tank 2 reading-11736.27 gal
=35,052.71 gal
and the cumulative time stamp associated with this volume would be
17:28:39:374.
[0089] Once the Time of Reconciliation has been determined, a similar process
is
performed for each additional series of data in preparation for aligning all
tank manifold
volume readings to the Time of Reconciliation. This aligning process can
include
identifying the time and volume of the "Time of Reconciliation" and each
subsequent
time-stamped tank manifold volume reading. Once determined, the CIM system 120
identifies sales that appear to have been active beyond the bounds of the tank
manifold
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readings and extrapolate a new pump sales reading according to the method and
process
described in Exhibit A, section V of the attached Schedule A, which, with its
associated
Exhibits forms a part of this disclosure.
[0090] Using the known flow rates between all time stamped pump readings
(including those generated using the process described in Exhibit A, section V
of the
attached Schedule A), the CIM system 120 interpolates a pump sales reading for
every
pump with a time stamp equal to the time of each tank manifold volume reading.
With
this pump sales reading determined, the CIM system 120 flow rate adjusts each
tank
manifold reading back to the "Time of Reconciliation," by adding the pumped
sales
volumes back to the tank manifold reading.
[0091] With all relevant data read hack to the Time of Reconciliation, the CIM
system 124 can determine physical volume from the multiple series of tank
manifold
readings by averaging all time-aligned net inventory volume readings together
to
determine a mean physical inventory, computing a standard deviation for the
sample set
of tank manifold readings, throw out readings that are +/- X standard
deviations from
the computed mean, where X is user defined, and then averaging the tank
manifold
readings remaining after eliminated those readings outside the standard
deviation to
generate the net physical volume at Time of Reconciliation. A confidence level
can be
shown for this volume determined.
[0092] This net physical volume at Time of Reconciliation is adjusted by the
CIM
system 120 for any interim sales associated with the manifold by adding back
to the net
physical volume the net interim sales, which consist of interim active sales,
and interim
completed sales, as described herein. With the adjusted value, the CIM system
120 can
then calculate the variance of adjusted net physical volume to perpetual book
net
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volume, i.e., the volume identified by various transactions, with the volumes
associated
with the various transactions being converted to net 60 degree Fahrenheit
volume terms
before being added to the book balance. This variance calculation can include
updating
the net perpetual book balance to the Time of Reconciliation, and subtracting
net
perpetual book balance from adjusted net physical volume. Additional
information
regarding this reconciliation process is provided in Schedule A, and its
associated
Exhibits, which form a part of this specification.
[0093] To help deternzine the flow of liquid product from the dispensers, and
therefore identify the net interim sales and closed sales, the dispensers used
in the
embodiments of the present invention can include a dedicated totalizer. In
particular, in
addition to a pump head totalizer that comes standard within a dispenser,
embodiments
of the present invention also provide for a dedicated totalizer located in
parallel with the
standard totalizer. This additional totalizer can be utilized for several
different
purposes, as described below.
[0094] Figure 3 illustrates an example dispenser in accordance with exemplary
embodiments as briefly described above. As shown, dispenser 200 includes a
pump
head for pumping product, e.g., petroleum liquid product, through a nozzle
230. As is
standard with most dispensers 200 a pulser 240 is provided that sends pulse
signals to
the totalizer 20S for determining a volume and price of fuel dispensed when
the nozzle
230 is active. Exemplary embodiments provide for a data acquisition unit 210
that has a
dedicated totalizer 220 and a control module 225 that is hooked in parallel to
the
totalizer 205. Similar to the standard totalizer 205, the dedicated totalizer
220 receives
pulses from pulser 240 in order to determine the volume of liquid product
pumped from
pump head 235 through nozzle 230. In addition, the volume is also adjusted by
the
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temperature readings from temperature module 250. Control module 225 within
the
data acquisition unit 210 can assign time stamps to the temperature and volume
readings gathered, and report this information to the retail facility point of
sale 245 or
the retail system 130, which will eventually be transmitted to the CIM system
120 as
previously described above, during the reconciliation process.
[0095] This information can be transmitted via a wireless connection as shown
by
antenna 215. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to
such
recording processes. For example, the data can be transferred via a wire
directly
connected to the retailed facility point of sate 245. Alternatively, the data
can be
reported via the Internet to the CIM system 120. Of course, other ways of
transmitting
the data collected by the data acquisition unit 210 are also available. Any
specific
method for transmitting the data from the retail facility or directly to the
C)M system
120 can be used. The above example is provided for illustrative purposes only,
and is
nat meant to limit or otherwise narrow the scope of the present invention
unless
explicitly claimed.
[U096] Embodiments of the present invention provide that control module 225
can
time stamp the temperature data and volume data in a number of different ways.
For
example, control module 225 can include an actual time of day that can be
updated via
satellite or other means in order to keep the control module accurately
calibrated. In
another embodiment, the control module 225 keeps time from the initiation of
the
reconciliation process as an offset from the time that has passed since the
initiation of
the reconciliation process. This offset is then added to the reconciliation
sheet time at
the retail facility or system for ensuring that the time stamp on the
measurement data
corresponds to the time on the retail system. This embodiment has the
advantage of not
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having a continual need for updating the time on the control module 225. In
addition,
because of the before mentioned system for bringing volume totals back to a
single
point in time through the rapid read process, if the clock within the control
module 225
is only slightly inaccurate, the statistical methods used in the embodiments
of the
present invention adequately compensate for such inaccuracies. Nevertheless,
any
particular type of time stamping can be used, and those described herein are
for
illustrative purposes only and are not meant to limit or otherwise narrow the
scope of
the present invention unless explicitly claimed.
[0097] As previously mentioned, the additional or dedicated totalizer 220 can
be
utilized for several different purposes. For example, readings from the
additional
totalizer can be compared to volumes reported from the weights and measurement
certified pump for determining an appropriate pulse to gallon conversion
ratio. This
conversion ratio can then be used during the next reconciliation process for
compensating for such things as clearance in the meter caused by normal wear
and tear.
Further, this change'in conversion can also be monitored such that, if it
deviates from
some predetermined threshold, an exception can be raised, and appropriate
action taken.
This process can also determine other problems in the system, such as theft, a
bad pump
head totalizer, a bad pulser that drives the totalizer and/or even a problem
with the
dedicated totalizer 220. The valves read from the totalizer during the
reconciliation
process even allow the CIM system 120 to determine historical flow rates
achievable
through each dispenser
[0098] As would be recognized, the pulse to gallon conversion ratio can be
calculated by taking the volume at the pump head, which the local governmental
weights and measures department certifies as being accurate, referencing the
totalized
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CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
pulses that were measured through the dedicated totalizer 220 and dividing the
totalized
pulses from the dedicated totalizer by the weights and measures certified
gallon, to
come up with the new pulse to gallon conversion ratio. This pulse to gallon
conversion
ratio can then be monitored such that, if it changes by more then a certain
percentage
(e.g., 5%), an exception report can be generated indicating such things as a
problem
with the pulser not being consistent. In addition, this process of determining
a pulse to
gallon ratio in essence calibrates or forces calibration for each pump at each
reconciliation. In other words, this provides for an automated method to
validate the
pump head totalizer, as a self checking way to ensure that the volumes
reported are
accurate. In addition, this embodiment can provide an automated way to
calibrate the
dedicated totalizer 220.
[0099] As alluded to above, other exemplary embodiments provide for end-to-end
temperature probing at various points, including all points of physical
measurement for
temperature correcting volume across the fuel management system. Because of
the
reporting of the temperatures through the antenna 215 within the dispenser
unit 200, and
by using temperature readings taken during the rapid accumulation of data at
other
locations within the system, e.g., at temperature and float height data
acquisition unit
1~5 in Figure 1, this system allows for both consideration of and, where
necessary,
provides actual temperature measurements for all points of physical
measurement. In
particular, the embodiments of the present invention provide for temperatures
at the
loading rack 105 through, e.g., the bill-of lading, at the liquid product
storage tank 155,
and at the fuel dispenser 1451200. There can be significant temperature change
occurring both during delivery to retail facility from load rack, as well from
the liquid
product storage tank to the fuel dispenser 145. Therefore, the thermal
expansion of the
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product needs to be accounted for in each transaction and in each executed
reconciliation process. In other words, to allow true reconciliation to occur,
on net
gallon terms, it is desirable to measure temperature in conjunction with every
measurement of physical volume. Embodiments of the present invention provide
for
the temperature to be measured at the physical location of the dispenser meter
wheel
and to record the temperature multiple times during any sale's transactions.
[00100] The temperature readings of a dispensed sale at a dispenser 200 are
unique
per sales transaction, and are a function of one or more of the following
variables: fluid
temperatures; surrounding ground temperatures; pipe wall thickness; pipe wall
material;
proximity of the dispenser skirt relative to rays of the sun; ambient air
temperature;
fluid flow rate; and the duration of time since the last transaction. As
previously
mentioned, embodiments of the present invention allow the temperature to be
measured
in conjunction with the sale, regardless of whether the temperature correction
is applied
to the retail sale. Accordingly, a control module 225 can report the gross
volume of the
sale and the temperature of the sale separately, which can also be reported by
the retail
system 130. Accordingly, this gross volume and temperature reporting
advantageously
provides for compensation of the different temperatures throughout the system,
and
offers both gross and net volume reporting not currently offered by typical
dispensers.
(00101] Similarly, embodiments of the present invention also provide for the
perpetual net inventory book balance system using the dynamic expansion
coefficient of
product relative to the temperature changes and density. Based on the API
gravity
report at the rack in the BOL, embodiments of the present invention can
maintain the
representative densities throughout the lifecycle of the product within the
system using
coefficients of expansion, and the initial density and liquid temperature
measurements.
- Page 45 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
With this data, the actual amount of product used and remaining in the tank
can be
determined. In other words, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are
capable of using the expansion coefficient for performing a temperature
corrected gross
to net conversion for every transaction before posting to the net perpetual
book balance.
[00102] The temperature correction hinges around the actual temperature of the
product that is being temperature corrected, and the density of the product
that is being
temperature corrected. Now the density doesn't allow one to perfectly identify
the
elasticity between the volume and temperature of that product i.e., it doesn't
allow you
to perfectly identify the coefficient of expansion. It does provide a very
representative
and meaningful relationship to the coefficient of expansion. So hydrocarbons
that have
a similar density react in a very similar way to temperature change. So it
really is used
to proxy the hydrocarbon molecular structure, but it's something that can be
measured
more easily than quantifying or identifying what the molecular structure is.
It's
necessary to know the density value consistently and within reasonability,
because the
density of the products changes. In comparing two products of non-like density
or
differing density, their reaction to temperature change will be different. So
the retail
terminal systems, because of the amount of volume that they do, are required
to report
density. Most of them have the ability to measure density using densitometers
or other
measuring equipment that can be used to determine the value. They report that
on the
bill of lading. A weighted average or a F1F0 (first-in-first-out) average of
the density
reportedly going into the tank can then be weighted by the amount of volume
going into
the tank. This provides a representative density for the product that is in
the storage
tank. That density value and the temperature that is measured on a real-time
on-site
- Page 46 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
basis are used to determine a temperature corrected volume conversion factor
allowing
one to derive the net volume of that product.
[00103] It should be noted that the various reports and accumulated data can
be
transmitted using XML document format or any other format readable by computer
systems. Using XML, for example, sales transaction records can include headers
that
identify whether a sale is closed, the time of the sale, the invoice number
and other such
information in a standard XML document. In such instances, not blended product
would simply have a tank number, whereas, if a blended product is used, then
the tanks
and blend ratios can be given and separated using a standard means, e.g.,
separated by
commas. Transaction date and time can also be associated with the transaction
record
along with an invoice number, volume and temperature.
[00104] As discussed herein, it is desirable to identify the tank height and
therefrom
determine the volume of liquid product within a tank. This can be accomplished
using a
strapping chart that defines a relationship between measured tank height and
volume of
the liquid product within the tank. The process of creating and/or calibrating
such a
chart is described hereinafter.
[00105] The system automatically or through user input initially use the
manufacturer's height vs. volume chart as if the chart was correct when tank
is
approximately 90% filled. Initial variance between manufacturer's chart and
calibrated
chart pending is zero. For instance,
Manufacturer's Chart Calibrated Chart
Hei ht Volume Height Volume
108" 19122 108" 19122
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CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
(00106] Using this chart, the fuel reconciliation process can be started as
previously
describe herein {Exhibits A, Q, S, and T of Schedule A.) When the next volume
measurement is received (i.e. after the predefined amount of fuel has been
dispensed},
the process can then calculate the variance from our "expected" volume based
on the
manufacturer's charts. Below are examples of formulas that can be used to
calculate
the variance, with the identified volumes being adjusted to the average
manifold
temperature as taught herein:
Gross volume from chart readings = expected volume ( 1 )
Gross Initial volume - dispensed volume = calibrated volume (2)
Calibrated volume - expected volume = variance (3}
[00107] The variance can be calculated every time a new volume measurement is
received during this tank calibration process. For example, a measurement can
be
received for every hundred gallons of fuel dispensed. When all volume and
variance
measurements have been calculated, the process can plot the volume vs. the
variance
and the volume vs. height relationships for when the tanks is tilted. Examples
of these
are illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. From the graphs, the process determines if
the
volume and the variance have a significant relationship.
[00108] It is understood that the initial assumption that there is no variance
when the
tank is 90% full is false. For a horizontally imposed cylindrical tank, from
the
curvature of the volume to height graph, the process can determine that the
variance is
the least when the tank is half full. Because of the relationship between
volume and
variance, the process can shift the calibrated curve up until the variance in
the middle of
Page 48
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
the tank is zero. This can produce a graph like that shown in Figure 6, which
gives a
more accurate representation of the volume to variance relationship. A new
volume to
variance graph can also be created, as illustrated in Figure 7.
[00109] Once the graphs have been generated, the system generates a formula
that
represents the curve and illustrates the variance as a function of inventory
volume. The
formula identifies the expected variance for any volume measurement on a
specified
tank manifold. Any variance observed deviating from this line can be an
unexplained
variance, which can be subject to later assignment through correlation
analysis
described herein
[U0110] During the above-described tank strapping process, it is desirable to
append
the temperature of the fuel tank manifold, along with the temperature of the
fuel being
dispensed, to every sales transaction. This can be done so the gallons
dispensed can be
converted to what they would have been at the tank temperature. This method
can
minimize any bias in the tank strapping curve, and therefore increase the
accuracy of
the system. The following describes one example of a process to accomplish
this.
[00111] When the tank strapping process is started, a period inventory
temperature
can be calculated by averaging the temperature from the prior and current
reconeiliations. The derived period inventory temperature can be used to
temperature-
correct each interim sales transaction to the same temperature as what
prevailed in the
inventory tanks. This can be done using only the thermistors in the tanks that
are below
the fuel level, as described herein. These are the only thermistors used
because any
thermistor above the fuel level would be air temperature, which could be
different from
the fuel temperature.
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[00112] As fuel is dispensed, each transaction can be accompanied by a
temperature
of the fuel at the point of measurement in the fuel dispenser. When the
reported sales
volume, or Accum Volume, reaches the next incremental threshold volume, or
Volume_Increment, then the total manifold volume can be converted to net
volume
terms, using an ASTM certified method, to obtain a conversion factor for
converting
valumes at the tank temperature to equivalent volumes at 60°F. For
example: the
measured data could be Gross Volume = 10,000 gallons, temperature =
73°F, and API
Gravity = 57.5. The calculated data to achieve the volume of fluid at
60°F could be
found using API Gravity at 60°F = 55.9, with a conversion factor =
.9914 and the
fallowing equation:
Net Volume = Conversion Factor * Gross Volume (4)
This results in temperature corrected net volume being 9914 = .9914 * 10,000.
[00113] The process can perform a similar calculation to convert each
transaction
volume dispensed into net 60°F terms. Then the process can take the sum
of the net
volume dispensed, and divide it by the tank conversion factor used to bring
the tank
inventory to net 60°F terms. The result is dispensed volume temperature
corrected to
prevailing tank temperature. For example, if the calculated net dispensed
volume or
Net Disp Vol = 500 and the Tank Conversion Factor = .9914, then using the
below
equation,
Disp Vohat Tank Temp = Net Disp Vol / Tank Conversion Factor (5)
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CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
the dispensed volume temperature corrected to prevailing tank temperature =
504.34 or
504.34 = S00 I .9914. It is the dispensed volume temperature corrected to
prevailing
tmk temperature that the system can use to subtract from our previous tank
volume to
calculate our calibrated volume or calibrated volume, as described herein.
[00114] Each time Accum_Volume reaches the Volume Increment amount, a new
manifold temperature can be measured, and an average temperature can be
calculated
between this current measurement and the previous manifold temperature. This
process
can be repeated until the tank strapping process is complete.
[00115] By way of summary, one embodiment of the present invention provides a
method for allowing purchase order details to be assigned to a delivery
instance (i.e.
"delivery trip") and tracking the purchase order throughout the cycle of
loading and
delivery. The process can entail a driver requesting to deliver a product to a
retail
facility. The system of the present invention identifies and references the
most
economical order placed for the retail facility. Once identified, the system
can post the
order with an order number to the driver. The driver can either accept the
order or
reject the order with a meaningful reason code. In either case, the system
updates the
status of the order and forwards the order detail to the loading terminal when
the driver
has accepted the order.
[00116] Following acceptance of the order, the driver arrives at a loading
terminal, or
rack, and references the order with the order number. The portion of the
system at the
loading terminal references the order details, and when verified, allows
constrained
loading of the product to the carrier's vehicle. The terminal system also
forwards an
electronic transaction record to the central corporate dispatch/ordering
system, i.e., the
CIM system 120.
Page 51 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
[00117] Once the driver, i.e., carrier, has received the load of product, the
driver can
transport the product to the retail facility. At the retail facility, the
driver requests
delivery authorization from the retail system. The retail system of the retail
facility can
reference transaction records from the terminal and validate that the supply
product and
volume match inventory needs. The system can also identify tank manifolds for
those
tanks containing product matching the transaction record. ~ Prior to the
delivery of the
liquid product, i.e., the drop, the CIM system can perform a book to physical
reconciliation process that reconciles the actual volume of liquid in one or
more tanks
against the volumes recorded at the CIM system, i.e., the book volumes for the
one or
more tanks.
[00118] Following the reconciliation process, the system, whether initiated by
the
CIM or the retail facility, posts transaction records to the driver for
validation. Once
validated by the driver, the system, whether the CIM or the retail facility,
posts an
authorization to the driver to drop the fuel. The driver then drops the fuel.
The fuel
drop continues until complete, and the driver notifies the system of drop
completion.
Upon completion of the drop, the system updates the book balance as per the
loading
transaction record and performs a book to physical reconciliation process.
This second
reconciliation process can generate one or more real-time exceptions, which
the system
reports to appropriate users.
[00119] The present invention also provides a method for reconciliation of
book
inventory to physical inventory. The method can be performed on a real-time
basis
regardless of on-going sales transactions. The method incorporates a rapid
accumulation of measurement data from tank level reading devices, tank
temperature
reading devices, dispenser totalizer volume readings, and dispenser
temperature
- Page 52 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
readings. The system also can incorporate or use a process of providing a real-
time
status of sales transactions in various states of existence, allowing for
sales transaction
updates of the corporate perpetual book balance.
[00120] The real-time book to physical reconciliation process can take place
on a
scheduled basis as a result of pre-specified events, or as a result of a
manual user
request. The process can entail loading or selecting the tank manifold 1D(s)
that are to
be reconciled. The desired duration of time for which data should be
accumulated can
also be selected or loaded by the system. The )D(s) and duration information
are sent to
the appropriate retail facility's computer system to initiate the
reconciliation process.
Following receipt of the request, the retail facility's system initiates data
retrieval from
each critical measuring device and begins the rapid data accumulation from
each
measurement device and references the status of all sales transactions. The
retail
facility system receives responses from the various measurement devices, and
time
stamps and sends the various measurement data and sales status data back to
the
corporate system.
[00121] Once the CIM or corporate system receives the necessary data, the
corporate
system updates the perpetual book balance inventory based off of real-time
sales
reported, derives a statistically smoothed physical reading at one point in
time,
reconciles the book inventory with the physical inventory, and generates
various
exception reports which can be posted to appropriate users,
(00122] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a method for
temperature
measurement and compensation at various points, including but not limited to
every
point of physical measurement: the loading rack, the delivery vehicle, the
inventory
tank, and the fuel sales dispenser. Since inventory products bear properties
of thermal
- Page 53
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
expansion, the thermal expansion of the product needs to be accounted for in
each
transaction (loading, transport, delivery, and sales) and in each executed
reconciliation
process. The process entails performing temperature measurements and appending
the
resulting temperature to every volume measurement in every transaction. Since
the
coefficient of expansion varies with the loading facility, it is included in
the loading
transaction record, and is maintained perpetually in the book balance. The
method
utilizes an input of gross volume, temperature, and density to derive a
representative
temperature corrected net volume.
[00123] Another embodiment of the present invention provides an additional
totalizer that is dedicated to reading real-time interim sales volumes using a
pulser,
which is a device that accumulates pulses and has the ability to report real
time the
value or the total of pulses accumulated. Additionally, there is a totalizer
that is integral
to the pump and dispensing equipment as it is provided by the manufacturer.
This
pump totalizer undergoes a calibration test administered by the weights and
measures
organization to which it is certified as being accurate. though it does not
allow a real-
time accessible reading of it to take place. At the end of a transaction, a
volume reading
is. taken on the pump totalizer, and an additional accumulated pulse reading
is taken on
the additional totalizer. The pulses on the additional totalizer are divided
by the volume
on the primary totalizer to arrive at a pulse-per-gallon ratio that can be
used for real-
time conversion of pulses to gallons. Therefore, while a reconciliation is
taking place,
there is no interference with the sales process and the customer experience
which is
primarily the view of the volume as it is displayed on the pump itself. So
that the
reconciliation process does not interfere with that, the secondary totalizer
is read on a
real-time basis. The database can then be used to reference the appropriate
conversion
- Page 54 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
factor taking the secondary totalizer's accumulated pulses and~to generate
real-time
volume.
[00124] Embodiments within the scope of the present invention also include
computer-readable media for carrying or having computer-executable
instructions or
data structures stored thereon. Such computer-readable media can be any
available
media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.
By way
of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM,
ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or
other
magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or
store
desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or
data
structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose
computer.
When information is transferred or provided over a network or another
communications
connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or
wireless) to a
computer, the computer properly views the connection as a computer-readable
medium.
Thus, any such connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium.
Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-
readable media. Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example,
instructions
and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or
special
purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions.
[00125] Figure 8 and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief,
general
description of a suitable computing environment in which the invention can be
implemented. Although not required, the invention will be described in the.
general
context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being
executed
by computers in network environments. Generally, program modules include
routines,
- Page 55 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that performs particular
tasks or
implement particular abstract data types. Computer-executable instructions,
associated
data structures, and program modules represent examples of the program code
means
for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence
of such
executable instructions or associated data structures represents examples of
corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps.
[00126) Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be
practiced in
network computing environments with many types of computer system
configurations,
including personal computers, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems,
microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,
minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The invention can also be
practiced
in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by local and
remote
processing devices that are linked (either by hardwired links, wireless links,
or by a
combination of hardwired or wireless links) through a communications network.
In a
distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both
local and
remote memory storage devices.
[U0127] With reference to Figure 8, an exemplary system for implementing the
invention includes a general purpose computing device in the form of a
conventional
computer 320, including a processing unit 321, a system memory 322, and a
system bus
33 that couples various system components including the system memory 322 to
the
processing unit 321. The system bus 323 can be any of several types of bus
structures
including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus
using
any of a variety of bus architectures. The system memory includes read only
memory
(ROM) 324 and random access memory (RAM) 325. A basic input/output system
- Page 56 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
(BIOS) 326, containing the basic routines that help transfer information
between
elements within the computer 320, such as during start-up, can be stored in
ROM 324.
[00128] The computer 320 can also include a magnetic hard disk drive 327 fox
reading from and writing to a magnetic hard disk 339, a magnetic disk drive
328 fox
reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk 329, and an optical disk
drive 330
for reading from or writing to removable optical disk 331 such as a CD-ROM or
other
optical media. The magnetic hard disk drive 327, magnetic disk drive 328, and
optical
disk drive 330 are connected to the system bus 323 by a hard disk drive
interface 332, a
magnetic disk drive-interface 333, and an optical drive interface 334,
respectively. The
drives and their associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile
storage of
computer-executable instructions, data structures, program modules and other
data for
the computer 320. Although the exemplary environment described herein employs
a
magnetic hard disk 339, a removable magnetic disk 329 and a removable optical
disk
331, other types of computer readable media for storing data can be used,
including
magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, Bernoulli
cartridges,
RAMs, ROMs, and the like.
[00129] Program code means comprising one or more program modules can be
stored on the hard disk 339, magnetic disk 329, optical disk 331, ROM 324 or
RAM
325, including an operating system 335, one or more application programs 336,
other
program modules 337, and program data 338. A user can enter commands and
information into the computer 320 through keyboard 340, pointing device 342,
or other
input devices (not shown), such as a microphone, joy stick, game pad,
satellite dish,
scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the
processing unit 321 through a serial port interface 346 coupled to system bus
323.
- Page 57 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Alternatively, the input devices can be connected by other interfaces, such as
a parallel
port, a game port or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor 347 or another
display
device is also connected to system bus 323 via an interface, such as video
adapter 348.
In addition to the monitor, personal computers typically include other
peripheral output
devices (not shown), such as speakers and printers.
[00130) The computer 320 can operate in a networked environment using logical
connections to one or more remote computers, such as 'remote computers 349a
and
349b. Remote computers 349a and 349b can each be another personal computer, a
server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node,
and
typically include many or all of the elements described above relative to the
computer
320, although only memory storage devices 350a and 350b and their associated
application programs 336a and 336b have been illustrated in Figure 8. The
logical
connections depicted in Figure 8 include a local area network (LAN} 35I and a
wide
area network (WAN} 352 that are presented here by way of example and not
limitation.
Such networking environments are commonplace in office-wide or enterprise-wide
computer networks, intranets and the Internet.
[00131] When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 320 is
connected to the local network 351 through a network interface or adapter 353.
When
used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 320 can include a modem
354, a
wireless Link, or other means for establishing communications over the wide
area
network 352, such as the Internet. The modem 54, which can be internal or
external, is
connected to the system bus 323 via the serial port interface 346. In a
networked
environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 320, or
portions
thereof, can be stored in the remote memory storage device. It will be
appreciated that
- Page 58 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing
communications over wide area network 352 can be used.
[Ut)132] Additional information related to the present invention is found in
Schedule
A, which forms a part of the specification herein. The "Liquid Product
Inventory
Reconciliation Guide" and Exhibits A-U, which are listed in Schedule "A", form
a part
of this specifcation hereof. The Liquid Product Inventory Reconciliation"
Guide and
Exhibits A=U will now disclose the inventions disclosed in additional detail.
- Page 59 -
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- Page 72 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
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- Page 74 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
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- Page 75
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exemplary Fuel Reconciliation Exhibit Library
Exhibit
Exhibit A-Net Inventory Variance Determination
Exhibit B---Thermistor Heights
Exhibit C-Data Storage Requirements
Exhibit D--Height to Volume Conversion Formulas
Exhibit E-Gross to. Net Conversion Routine
Exhibit F-Quick Read ATG Look-Up
Exhibit G-Real-Time Reconciliation Request from Host
Exhibit H-Real-Time Reconciliation Data Response from Local to Host
Exhibit I-Local Treatment of Reconciliation Request
Exhibit J-Variance Assignment Procedures
Exhibit K Business Period Activity Isolation (Delivery 1 Non-Delivery)
Exhibit L-Maintenance of Net Volume Book Balance
Exhibit M-On-Site Data Accumulation Methods
Exhibit N-Sales Transaction Record Format
Exhibit O-Local to Host Alarm Communication
Exhibit P-Reconciliation Data Report Example
Exhibit Q-Tank Strapping Procedure
Exhibit R-Exemplary Hardware Requirements
Exhibit S-Tank Strapping Temperature Correction Treatment
E;xhibit T-Tank Strapping Calibration Calculations*
Exhibit U-BOL Delivery Record Format
Page 76 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit A-~-Net Inventory Variance Determination
I. CIM Send Fuel Reconciliation Request to POS (See Exhibit G)
II. CIM Receive and Parse the Reconciliation Response from POS (See Exhibit H)
_ Measurement Data
<Site> 01155
<Time> 2004-06-03 23:00:00
<UOM> Gallons, Inches, Fahrenheit
<StartSnapShot> 2
<Tank Set>
<SetId> AA
<FCode> 02
<Tanks>
<Tank>
<Id> O1
<Water> 1.5"
<FuelLvl>
<Fuel>Lv1:55.40~Time:23:00:00:04~Tmp:63.00./62
.00</Fuel>
<Fuel>Lv1:55.00~Time:23:00:01:04~Tmp:63.00./62
.00<lFuel>
</FuelLvl>
</Tank>
</Tanks>
</Tank Set>
<Sales>
<Sale>
<Pump> 11
<Temp> 70.00
<FuelRecs>
<Fuel>Vo1:5.60~Time:23:00:00:00<lFue1>
<Fuel>Vo1:6.40~Time:23:00:01:00</Fuel>
</FuelRecs>
</Sale>
</Sales>
_ Closed Sales Data
<Closed Sales>
- Page 77 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
<Closed Sale>
Tank:2~Time:2004-06-03
22:36:OO~Inv:123A4567~Vo1:45.666~Tmp:56
</Closed Sale>
</Closed Sales>
III. CIM Convert Fuel Level Readings to Net Tank Gallons
1) Use tank id from <Tank>...<Id> to reference the
appropriate tank formula table.
Result: Table 123
2) Use the fuel level <Fuel>Lvl.. to reference the appropriate formula for
each fuel level reading. (See Exhibit D)
Result: FuelLvl: 55.40: Formula XY...
FuelLvl: 55:00: Formula YZ...
3) Convert each fuel level reading into a gross volume, with the same time
stamp as the fuel level reading.
Result: FuelLvl:55.40 = 6068.61 Gallons (Gross)
FuelLv1:55.00 = 6015.36 Gallons (Gross)
4) Identify which thermistors are at or below the lowest
measured fuel level reading. To do this the process can use a
field tied to the tank table that identifies at which height
levels on the probe shaft there is a thermistor---(See Exhibit B)
Result: Thermistor 1
Therrnistor 2
5) Average the temperature of the thermistors determined in
prior step.
Result: Thermistor 1: 61.00
Thermistor 2: 63.00
Average = 62.00
6) Reference API gravity for product in tank. (This can require deliveriung
driver to report BOL information in conjunction with a delivery report.
The API value can be included in the BOL information and can be used
to update the estimated API of the product in that tank set.
Result: 36
7) Use average temperature from step 5) and API to reference
Page 78 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
the appropriate Gross to Net conversion factor (as per
ASTM forniula).
Result: .9XXX
8) Convert Gross Inventory Volume per Fuel Lvl to Net Inventory Volume.
Result: Net Inventory Volume per Fuel Lvl
IV. Convert interim (FuelRecs) gross sales volume to net volume
1 ) Reference API for product in tank '
Result: 36
2) Use API density value and average temp of sale <Temp>
70.00 to reference appropriate Gross to Net conversion
factor.
Result: .98XX
3) Convert Gross volume per FuelRec Sales snapshot to Net
Fuel Rec Sales
Result: <Fuel>VoI:S.XX~Time:23:00:00:00</Fuel>
<Fuel>Vol:6.XX~Time:23:00:01:00</Fuel>
V. Convert Individual Time-Stamped Tank Volumes in Manifold to Cumulative Time-
Stamped Manifold Volumes
1) Sort all time-stamped tank readings from the manifold by their respective
time stamps.
Result: Example results from
a 3-tank manifold-
Tank 3 reading @ 17:28:39:165- 11658.32
gal
Tank 1 reading @ 17:28:39:377- 11658.12
gal
Tank 2 reading @ 17:28:39:581- 11736.27
gal
Tank 3 Reading @17:28:40:398 -11658.36
gal
Tank 1 Reading @17:28:40:611 -11602.34
gal
Tank 2 Reading @17:28:40:815 -11733.20
gal
2) Order "series" of tank readings by taking the first
time-stamped fuel height reading(irregardless of Which tank
is read first) and associating it with the closest time-
- Page 79 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
stamped reading of each additional tank in the manifold. Each tank
reading can only reside in one series. Only tank readings that comprise a
complete series should be considered for step 3).
Result: Example -
results from
a 3-tank manifold
ank 3 reading @ 17:28:39:165-11658.32 gal
lsc Series Tank 1 reading @ 17:28:39:377-11658.12 gal
Tank 2 reading @ 17:28:39:581-11736.27 gal
ank 3 Reading @17:28:40:398-11658.36 gal
2"a Series Tank 1 Reading @17:28:40:611-11602.34 gal
Tank 2 Reading @17:28:40:815-11733.20 gal
Nt" Series
3) Calculate
the time difference
between the
first time
in the series
and
every time
in the series.
Result: From Difference
1st Series
Tank 3 reading 0
@ 17:28:39:165-
Tank 1 reading 212
@ 17:28:39:377-
Tank 2 reading 416
@ 17:28:39:581-
4) Average the differences in time
Result: From 15' Series
Average (0,212,416)
=209.33
5) Add the average difference back to the first time from the
series to determine the cumulative series time stamp.
Result: From 1St Series
17:28:39:165 + 209.33
=17:28:39:374
6) . Sum the volume from each reading in the series.
Result: From 1St Series
Tank 3 reading-11658.32 gal
+Tank 1 reading-11658.12 gal
+Tank 2 reading-11736.27 gal
=35,052.71 gal
7) Assign the cumulative time stamp for the series to the cumulative
volume for the series. The first time-stamped series becomes the "Time
of Reconciliation."
Result:Frorn 1St Series
Page 80 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
35,052.71 gal @ 17:28:39:374
Repeat steps 3 through 7 until a cumulative time stamp and volume has
been assigned for each series.
VI. CIM Align All Tank Manifold Volume Readings to "Time of
Reconciliation."
1) Identify the time and volume of the "Time of Reconciliation" and
each subsequent time-stamped Tank Manifold volume reading.
Result: For sales volume between Time of
Reconciliation and Manifold Series 2-
Time and Volume of Reconciliation
35,052.71 gal @ 17:28:39:374
Time and Volume of Manifold Series 2
34,993.90 gal @ 17:28:40:608
2) Identify sales that appear to have been active beyond the bounds
of the tank manifold readings and extrapolate a new pump sales
reading according the following rules:
If --The first of the paired readings is the first reading provided in
the reconciliation for that pump
AndIf --The first of the paired readings is later than the "Time of
Reconciliation"
Then --Consider use of a "late pump read rule"-
Late Pump Read Rule:
If --The first reading of a pump has a volume amount that
is positive
AndIf -The next reading shows a positive change in
volume
Then --Use the flow rate determinable between these two
readings to extrapolate a new pump reading back to the
closest time-stamped tank manifold reading.
*The new extrapolated reading must be >=0 or it is
thrown out,
Else--Assume the pump readings provided in the
reconciliation are consummate in their display of pumped
volume.
Else--Assume the pump readings provided in the reconciliation
are consummate in their display of pumped volume.
If -The last of all the paired readings for a pump is
the last reading provided in the reconciliation for
that pump
- Page 81 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
AndIf -The last of the paired readings for a pump is
earlier than the last tank manifold volume reading
Then--Consider use of an "early pump read rule"-
Early Pump Read Rule:
If --The last reading of a pump has a volume amount that
is greater than the amount for that pump in the prior
reading
AndIf -There exists a tank manifold reading after the last
known reading for that pump
Then--Use the flow rate determinable between these two
readings to extrapolate a new dump reading forward to
the closest time-stamped tank manifold reading.
Else--Assume the pump readings provided in the
reconciliation are consummate in their display of pumped
volume.
Else--Assume the pump readings provided in the reconciliation
are consummate in their display of pumped volume.
Results: For "Late Read Rule" and "Early Read Rule"
(TV, J____p~ V ~~l ______(TV2]______p~ VZ-2_____(TV3]
*Where TV~ is the nth tank manifold volume reading, P" is the nth
p~P
reading, and V" is the volume of the nth pump reading.
Late Read Rule
Create P 1 Vo, with a time stamp 1 second prior to that
of P, V 1 since Late Pump Read Rule criteria all apply
Early Read Rule
Create P~V3, with a time stamp 1 second later to that of P~V2 since Early
Pump Read Rule criteria all apply
[TVI, PIVo~.3]___plV~-1____(TVZ]-__plV2_2____(TV3, P1V3=2.3]
3) Using the known flow rates between all time stamped
pump readings (including those generated in step 2), now
interpolate a pump sales reading for every pump with a time stamp equal
to the time of each tank manifold volume reading.
Result:
[TV~,P~Vo=0.3]_____(TV2, plV2-1.3]______(TV3~ p~V3-2.3]
Page 82 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
4) Using the interpolated pump sales reading for every pump, flow rate
adjust each tank manifold reading back to the "Time of Reconciliation,"
by adding the pumped sales volumes back to the tank manifold reading.
Result: All cumulative manifold volume readings at the
"Time of Reconciliation" Time Stamp
Tank Manifold Reading 1
[TV,]
Tank Manifold Reading 2 (Adjusted for dispensed flow)
[TVZ - (P, VZ - P~ V,)]
Tank Manifold Reading 3 (Adjusted for dispensed flow)
[TV3-(Pa's-P~Vv)]
VII. Determine Physical Volume from the multiple series of tank manifold
readings.
1) Average alI time-aligned net inventory volume readings together to
determine a mean physical inventory.
2) Compute a. standard deviation for the sample set of tank manifold
readings.
3) Throw out readings that are +/- 1 standard deviation from the mean
computed in step 1 ).
4) Average the tank manifold readings remaining after step 3).
Result: Net Physical Volume at Time of Reconciliation
IIX. Adjust Time-Stamped Net Physical Volume for Interim Sales
1) Add back to the Net Physical Volume the Net Jnterim
Sales, which consist of Interim Active Sales, and Interim Completed
Sales
Result: Net Physical Volume Adjusted for Interim
Sales at Time of Reconciliation
1X. Calculate Variance of Adjusted Net Physical Volume to Perpetual Book Net
Volume.
1) Update Net Perpetual Book Balance (See Exhibit L) to the Time of
Reconciliation.
2) Subtract Net Perpetual Book Balance from Adjusted Net
Physical Volume.
Page 83 -
Image CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit B-Thermistor Heights
I. Get specifications of probe
1 ) Get span of probe
Result: 118" *Omntec provided 10' probe
2) Add offset as per manufacturer's spec
Result:120" (=118" + 2" Omntec probe offset)
3) Divide offset adjusted probe span by number of thermistors + 1 to
determine thermistor increment
Result: 20" increment (=120"/6; 6=5 thermistors + 1)
4) Assign heights to thermistors 1-X as per manufacturer's
numbering sequence
Result: ThermistorHeight *Omntec
Probe
1 20"
2 40"
3 60"
4 80"
5 100"
- Page 85
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit C Data Storage Requirements
I. Fields to Store Surrounding Completion of each Instance of Reconciliation:
I ) Request Time, as per Corporate Host
2) Number of Seconds in Request
3) Request Time, as per Site Host
4) Requester ID
5) Reconciliation Time, as per Site Host's time stamps
6) Branch ID
7) Manifold 1D(s) '
8) Book Inventory per Manifold at Time of Reconciliation
Gross
Net
9) Physical Inventory per Manifold at Time of Reconciliation
Gross
Net
Temp
10) Tolerance Factor Passed to Retail System
1 I ) Retail System Turbulence Flag (Y/l~
12) Population Standard Deviation Statistic
13) Standard Deviation Tolerance Factor
I4) Filtered Sample Size (# of Samples Remaining)
15) Filtered Sample Standard Deviation Statistic
16) Interim Sales Adjustment
Gross
Net
17) Summarized Sales Transaction Volume Per Dispenser From Last
Reconciliation to Current Reconciliation
Gross
Net
18) Reported Delivery Detail (BOL # and Trip #) by Manifold from Last
Reconciliation to Current Reconciliation
Gross
Net
19) Standard Height per Tank, per Manifold ID
20) Standard Temp per Tank, per Manifold ID
II. Required Durarion of Storage
1 ) Raw measurement (Input) variables used for reconciliation (2
weeks)
2) Reconciliation result (Output) variables mentioned in
requirement I
Online (6 Months)
Archived (Indefinitely)
- Page 86 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit D-Exemplary Height to Volume Conversion Formulas
Ex: 5.5" is greater than 5 but less than 9 so it would use the formula
indicated by
height 5
Height
Volume
W
ches
Formula
0 2.6613x2 + 50.029x
5 3.5x2 + 48.5x -
6
9 2.75x2 + 59.95x
- 50.35
13 2x2 + 78.6x - 167.7
17 2x2 + 79x - 174
21 1.5x2 + 99.1x -
377.5
25 1.25x2 + 112.05x
- 545.45
29 x2 + 127x - 769
33 x2 + 127.4x - 781.3
37 0.?5x2 + 145.95x
- 1125.9
41 0.5x2 + 166.5x -
1549
45 0.5x2 + 166.5x -
1548
49 0.25x2 + 191.05x
- 2150.7
53 7E-12x2 + 218x -
2876
5 0.25x2 + 189.45x
7 - 2060
61 -0.25x2 + 249.35x
- 3855.2
65 -0.25x2 + 249.55x
- 3868.4
69 -0.5x2 + 283.5x
- 5021
73 -0.75x2 + 320.45x
- 6386.1
77 -x2 + 360x - 7949
81 -x2 + 361x - 8029
85 -x2 + 360.6x - 7994.9
89 -1.5x2 + 449.1x
- 11912
93 -1.5x2 + 448.9x
- 11893
97 -2x2 + 546x -16608
101 -2x2 + 545.6x -
16567
105 -2.75x2 + 702.05x
- 24727
109 -3.25x2 + 810.55x
- 30614
113 -5x2 + 1204.4x -
52774
116 -12.5x2 + 2948.5x
-154170
Page 87 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit E-Gross-To-Net Conversion Process
/*<TOAD_FILE_CHUNK>*/
CREATE OR REPLACE PACKAGE Ipm.TEMP CORRECT AS
PROCEDURE GetVCFactor(API60 IN OUT NUMBER, DEGF IN OUT NUMBER,
VCFC IN OUT NUMBER, IFLAG IN OUT NUMBER);
END TEMP CORRECT;
/*<TOAD FILE CHUNK>*/
CREATE OR REPLACE PACKAGE BODY lpm.TEMP CORRECT AS
KOT NUMBER := 14890670;
FUNCTION SetCurveCoefficients( IAPI IN NUMBER, KO IN OUT NUMBER, KI
IN OUT NUMBER) RETURN NUMBER IS
NBP1 NUMBER := 370;
NBP2 NUMBER := 480;
NBP3 NUMBER : = 520;
NBP4 NUMBER := 850;
-- COEFFICIENTS FOR DIESELS, HEATING OILS AND FUEL OILS
KOF NUMBER :=1038720;
K1F NUMBER := 2701;
-- COEFFICIENTS FOR JET FUELS, KEROSENES, AND SOLVENTS
KOJ NCJMBER := 3303010;
K1J NUMBER = 0;
-- COEFFICIENTS FOR TRANSITION BETWEEN JETS AND GASOLINES
K1T NUMBER :_ -186840;
-- COEFFICIENTS FOR GASOLINES AND NAPHTHENES
KOG NZJMBER := 1924571;
K1G NUMBER := 2438;
RC NUMBER := 0;
BEGIN
IF (IAPI - NBP1 <= 0) THEN
KO := KOF;
Kl := K1F;
ELSIF (IAPI - NBP2 <= 0) THEN
KO := KOJ;
Kl := K1J;
ELSIF (IAPI - NBP3 <= 0) THEN
- Page 88 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
KO := KOT;
K1 := K1T;
ELSIF (IAPI - NBP4 <= 0) THEN
KO := KOG;
K1 :=K1G;
ELSE
RC := -1;
END IF;
RETURN RC;
END;
-- THIS MODULE CAN BE DESIGNED TO CALCULATE A DENSITY
-- VALUE FROM A GIVEN VALUE OF API BY THE FORMULA
-- RHO =141.5*999.012/(API + 131.5)
-- IN THIS EXEMPLARY CONFIGURATION IT IS ASSUMED THAT
-- THE API VALUE HAS BEEN ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST TENTH
-- DEGREE API AND THE VALUE MULTIPLIED BY 10. ALTHOUGH,
-- OTHER CONFIGURATIONS CAN USE OTHER SCHEMES. THE
-- OUTPUT VALUE OF RHO CAN BE RETURNED
-- AS AN INTEGER AND ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST HUNDRETH
-- KILLOGRAM/CUBIC METRE.
-- THE VALUE 1413601980 REPRESENTS 141.5*999.012*10000
-- CORRECT TO 10 DIGITS
PROCEDURE RHOB(IAPI IN NUMBER, IRHO IN OUT NUMBER) IS
IDENOM NUMBER;
BEGIN
H?ENOM := IAPI + 1315;
IRHO := TRUNC{((1413601980/IDENOM) + 5)/10);
END ;
PROCEDURE SDIVB(INUM IN NUMBER,117ENOM IN NUMBER, IRES IN OUT
NUMBER) IS
1RES 1 NUMBER;
IRES2 NUMBER;
BEGIN
IRES 1 ~ INUM / IDENOM;
IRES2 :_ (INUM - (IRES1 * mENOM)) * 100001 IDENOM;
IRES :_ (~ESI * loooo) + ~ES2;
END;
PROCEDURE ALFPAB(IRHO IN NUMBER, KO IN NUMBER, Kl IN NUMBER,
IALF IN OLTT NUMBER) IS
INUM NUMBER;
- Page 89 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
IALF1 NUMBER;
IALF2 NUMBER;
IALFS NUMBER;
BEGIN
INUM := KI * 10000;
SDIVB(INLTM, IRHO, IALF1);
I1VUM := KO * 100;
SDIVB(IN(JM, IRI-i0, IALFS);
SDIVB(IALFS, IRHO, IALF2);
IALF := TRUNC((IALFl + IALF2 + 500)/1000);
END;
PROCEDURE MPYB(IX IN NUMBER, IY IN NUMBER,1Z IN OUT NUMBER) IS
IU1 NUMBER;
Kl NUMBER;
IV 1 NUMBER;
IU2 NUMBER;
KZ NUMBER;
IV2 NUMBER;
K3 NUMBER;
BEGIN
IU 1 := IX / 10000;
Kl :=10000 * IU1;
IV1:=IX-K1;
IU2 := IY / 10000;
K2 := 10000 * IU2;
IV2 := IY - K2;
K3 := IUl * IV2 + ILT2 * IV 1 + IV 1 * IV2 / 10000;
IZ := TRUNC((K3 + 5000) / 100000) + IUl * IU2;
END;
PROCEDURE VCF6B(IALF IN NUMBER, IDT IN NUMBER,1VCF IN OUT
NUMBER) IS
TTERM 1 NUMBER;
TTERM2 NUMBER;
ITERM3 NUMBER;
IX NUMBER;
ISUMI NUMBER;
ISUM2 NUMBER;
ISUM3 NUMBER;
ISUM4 NUMBER;
ISUMS NUMBER;
ISUM6 NUMBER;
BEGIN
ITERM1 := IALF * IDT;
- Page 90 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
ITERM2 := ITERM 1 / 5 * 4;
MPYB(ITERM1, ITERM2, ITERM3);
ITERM3 := TRUNC(ITERM3);
IX :_ -1 * (ITERM1 + ITERM3);
ISUM1 := 100000000 + IX;
MPYB(IX, IX, ISUM2);
ISUM2 := ISUM2 / 2;
MPYB(IX, ISUM2, ISUM3);
ISUM3 := ISUM3 / 3;
MPYB(IX, ISUM3, ISUM4);
ISUM4 := ISUM4 / 4;
MPYB(IX, ISUM4, ISUMS);
ISUM5 := ISUMS / 5;
MPYB(IX, ISUMS, ISUM6);
ISUM6 := ISUM6 / 6;
IVCF := ISUMl + ISUM2 + ISUM3 + ISUM4 + ISUMS + ISUM6;
END;
PROCEDURE GetVCFactor(API60 IN OUT NUMBER, DEGF IN OUT NUMBER,
VCFC IN OUT NUMBER, IFLAG IN OUT NUMBER) IS
IBP 1 NUMBER := 400;
IBP2 NUMBER := 500;
ITMP1 NUMBER := 3000;
ITMP2 NUMBER := 2500;
ITMP3 NUMBER ~ 2000;
IBAS NUMBER = 600;
IEP 1 NUMBER := 2500;
IEP2 NUMBER := 2000;
IEP3 NUMBER :=1500;
-- VARIABLES FOR ROUNDING INPUT PARAMETERS
IAPI NUMBER;
ITEMP NUMBER;
IDT NUMBER;
- Page 91 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
-- VARIABLES USED FOR CURVE COEFFICIENTS - SET BY
CONDITIONS
KO NUMBER;
K1 NUMBER;
IRHO NUMBER;
IRES NUMBER;
IALF1 NUMBER;
IALF NUMBER;
IVCF NUMBER;
JVCF NUMBER;
PVCF NUMBER;
CVCF NUMBER;
V CFP NUMBER;
BEGIN
VCFC :_ -1;
-- ROUND INPUT PARAMETERS
IAPI := TRUNC((API60 * 10) + .5);
API60 := IAPI / 10;
ITEMP := TRUNC((DEGF * 10) + .5);
DEGF := ITEMP / 10;
Ij7T := ITEMP - IBAS;
IFLAG :=-1;
-- CHECK API RANGES
1F (IAPI < 0) THEN
-- IF API IS LESS THAN ZERO, RETURN
-- FLAG AND VOLUME CORRECTION SET TO -1
END IF;
- DEFINE CURVE COEFFICIENTS
IF (SetCurveCoefficients( IAPI, K0, Kl) < 0) THEN
-- CURVE COEFFICIENTS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED, RETURN
-- FLAG AND VOLUME CORRECTION SET TO -1
RETURN;
END IF;
-- CHECK VALID TEMPERATURE RANGES
IF (ITEMP < 0) THEN
-- RETURN' ON NEGATIVE TEMP
-- FLAG AND VOLUME CORRECTION SET TO -1
- Page 92
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
RETURN;
END IF;
IF (IAPI - IBP1 <= 0) THEN
IF (ITEMP - ITMP1 > 0) THEN
RETURN;
END IF;
ELSE
IF (IAPI - IBP2 ~= 0) THEN
IF (ITEMP - ITMP2 > 0) THEN
RETURN;
ELSE
IF (ITEMP - ITMP3 > 0) THEN
RETURN;
END IF;
END IF;
END IF;
END IF;
-- CALCULATE RHO
RHOB(IAPI, IRHO);
-- CALCULATE ALPHA
IF (K0 = KOT) THEN
-- CALCULATE ALPHA IN TRANSITION ZONE
SDIVB(K0, IRHO, IRES);
IRES := IRES * 10;
SDIVB(IRES, IRHO, IALF1);
IALF1 := TRUNC((TALF1 + 5)/10);
IALF := TRUNC((IALF1 +K1 + 5)/10);
ELSE
ALFPAB(IRHO, K0, K1, IALF);
END IF;
-- CALCULATE VCF
VCF6B(IALF, IDT, IVCF);
:IFLAG := 0;
-- CHECK TO DETERMINE IF IN EXTRAPOLATED REGION
IF (IAPI - IBP 1 <= 0) THEN
IF (ITEMP - IEP 1 > 0) THEN
IFLAG := l;
END IF;
ELSE
IF (IAPI - IBP2 <= 0) THEN
IF (ITEMP - IEP2 > 0) THEN
IFLAG := 1;
- Page 93 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
END IF;
ELSE
1F (ITEMP - IEP3 >0) THEN
IFLAG :=1;
END IF;
END IF;
END IF;
JVCF := TRUNC(((IVCF / 1000) + 5) 110);
PVCF := JVCF;
PVCF := PVCF / 10000;
IF (IVCF -100000000) < 0 THEN
-- VCF LESS THAN ONE, FIVE DECIMALS RETURNED
JVCF := TRI1NC((IVCF l 100) + 5) J 10;
CVCF := TRUNC(JVCF);
CVCF := CVCF l 100000;
ELSE
CVCF := PVCF;
END IF;
VCFP := PVCF;
VCFC := CVCF;
END;
END TEMP CORRECT;
- Page 94 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit F-Quick Read ATG book-Up-Up
I. Send Request to Retail System including:
1) Manifold Id(s)
2) Branch Id
Il. Receive quick read data from Retail System including:
1) Manifold Id(s)
a) Tank Id(s)
i) Gross Volume
ii) Net Volume
iii) Fuel Height
iv) Water Height
v) Fuel Temp
vi) tJllage
vii) Current Site Date and Time
III. Example
Request message to site to get the ATG tank level readout:
<CankReadReq>
<SetId>
Tank set Id (manifold id) of request 1
</SetId>
</TankReadReq>
Response message from site with tank level information:
<TankReadResp>
<Site>
5 Digit site branch number
</Site>
<Time>
Current site date and time in YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS format
</Time>
<TankSet>
<SetId>
Tank set id (manifold id) that this response is for.
<lSetld>
<Tanks>
<Tank>
<Id>
Tank number
</Id>
<Volume>
Tank volume
</Volume>
<TCVolume>
Temperature corrected volume
</TCVolume>
- Page 95 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
<Water>
Water level
</Water>
<FuelHeight>
Fuel Height - float value
</FuelHeight>
<Temp>
Temperature
<lTemp>
<Ullage>
Tank Ullage
</IJllage>
</Tank>
</Tanks>
<lTankReadResp>
- Page 96 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit G-Real-Time Reconciliation Request from Host (CIM)
<FuelReconRequest>
<Site>
</Site>
<Time>
S Digit site branch number
Date/Time of request in YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS: format
</Time>
<SnapShotSpan>
Time span in seconds for snapshots
</SnapShotSpan>
<SetId>
Tank set Id (manifold id) of request 1
</SetId>
<SetId>
Tank set Id (manifold id) of request 2
</SetId>
</FuelReconRequest>
Acknowledgement message back
<FuelReconRequest>
<Resp>
OK
<lResp>
~:/FuelReconRequest>
- Page 97 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit H-Real-Time Reconciliation Data Response from Local (Retail System)
to Host (CIIV>)
Fuel Reconciliation Response
This message can be sent from the site back to corporate:
<FuelReconResp>
<Site>
5 Digit site branch number
</Site>
<Time>
Date/Time of message sent in YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS format
</Time>
<UOM>
This can be a three character value where:
Position 1 = Volume measurement - L (liters) or G (gallons),
Position 2 = Height measurement - I (inches) or C (centimeters)
Position 3 == Temperature measure - F (Fahrenheit) or C (Celsius)
</UOM>
<StartSnapshot>
Beginning DatelTime of snapshots in YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS
format
</StartSnapshvt>
<AmbTemp>
Ambient temperature (outside temperature)
</AmbTemp>
<TankSet>
<SetId>
Tank set id (manifold id) that this response is for.
4SetId>
<FCode>
Fuel code in this tank set
</FCode>
<Tanks>
<Tank>
<Id>
Tank number
</Id>
<Water>
Water level
</Water>
<FuelLvl>
<Fuel> This can be a tokenized string in the format of
token:value~token:value. . .
where the tokens are:
- Page 98 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
)alG1 18VD)<
~imc Millisecond o#~eet of st~apehot, long
o _ irate er vatue
i'Fmp ~ Tennperatures, those cari be pasitional,
separated by a 'I'. Temperature 1 can be
'.L fzrst, temperature 2 can be sec.~nd, etc.
' v For example: = .
1 56.9~/5G.99I57.U 1 ~'54.05/SS.OS
,.__ ___
34.66t'firrAe: l i?023~Tmp:56.98/5f .99r'S7.011,54.(a5155.05
ElF~el~
~:rx'ueil,vl~
~'.lTank~
~"Iaahs~ .
~ITfietIc~
ESa~es:~
<.~~.e~
ET~'uzrip>
pn~ut~ber
<: fpuanpr
hemp>
Average temperature o~sale
~ffernp>
~k'uelReas~
~Fuer~
This eau be a tokenized stri~ag in the format of
tak~m:v~alualtx~ken:value.. .
where the tokens aro:
Ta~:~v ___ Mea~~
_
Val ...' puel volume'
'l ime Miilisecond offset of st~ap~hot,
long
integer value;
-1 indicts that the sale
bas curapleted
a in but has not closed .
For e~tampie:
~'01:34.b6~Time: 1Q033
~/Fuel~
~;~Fuelltecs~
~:.~ale-
_ Pate ~9 _
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
</Sales>
<ClosedSales>
<ClosedSale>
This can be a tokenized string in the format of
token:value~token:value...
where the tokens are:
F _TOKEN Meaning
or Tank Non-blended product - tank
number.
exa (example: Tank: l)
mpl Blended Product - tanks and
blend ratio
a separated by commas. Blend
ratio is
O decimal value to apply to
the first tank in
n string
a (example: Tank:1,2,0.6000
means tank i
and tank 2 are blended with
60% being
t from tank 1
a Time Transaction time in YYYY-MM-DD
n HH:MM:SS format
k Inv Invoice number
Vol Volume
Tm ~ Temperature
Tank:2~Time:2004-OS-28
10:34:OO~Inv:123A4567~Vo1:45.666~Tmp:56
Blended tank:
Tank:4,6,0.6000~Time:2004-OS-28
10:34:OO~Inv:123A4567~Vo1:45.666~Tmp:56
</ClosedSale>
</ClosedSales>
</FuelReconResp>
Fuel Reconciliation error response
This message can be sent from the site back to corporate
<FuelReconResp>
<Site>
5 Digit site branch number
</Site>
<Time>
Date/Time of message sent in YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS format
</Time>
<Error>
Error message
</Error>
</FuelReconResp>
Acknowledgement of response message:
This message can be sent from the web service back to the site.
- Page 100 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
<FuelReconResp>
<Resp>
OK
</Resp>
</FuelReconResp>
-Page101-
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit I-Local (Retail System) Treatment of Reconciliation Request
1. Retail System Receives Reconciliation Request from C1M (see Exhibit G)
2. Retail System Views status on all transactions outstanding (i.e. not
closed)
3. Retail System simultaneously generates base time-stamp and fires request
for real-
time data read on ATG, Temperature Probe, and Dispenser Totalizer Data
Acquisition
units, including the # of seconds for which to accumulate data.
4. Retail System Data Acquisition units retrieve request and request duration
from
Retail System PC and begin accumulating local time. Retail System Data
Acquisition
units respond to Retail System PC with measurement data. For example:
While Accummulated Local Time <= Request Duration
Do
Retail System Data Acquisition units continue to request measurement
data from
peripheral measurement devices, assigning the local accumulation to
each
End
successive reading.
Retail System Data Acquisition units stop accumulating measurement
readings.
Retail System Data Acquisition units report back to Retail System PC
with measurement reading
and accumulated time offset from time of request receipt.
S. Retail System awaits measurement data from all Retail System Data
Acquisition
units. When all data is received Retail System adds offset times to base time-
stamp.
6. Retail System reports data back to Host (C1M)
- Page 102 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit J-Variance Assignment Procedures
The following describes some of the most common reasons for variance in the
fuel reconciliation process. These can change or be added to as required.
Variance Reasons:
Loading: Product / Tank Mismatch
Incorrect Volume Trailer Retain
Measurement On Sight Storage:
Incorrect Density Incorrect Tank Calibration
Measurement Faulty Probe
Incorrect Temperature Change
Temperature Measurement Tank Leak
Wrong Product Tank Evaporation
Transporting: Theft
Temperature On Sight Plumbing:
Change Temperature Change
Trailer Evaporation Plumbing Leak
Trailer Leak On Sight Dispensing:
Theft Temperature Change
Delivery: Dispenser Leak
Delivery Dispenser Calibration
Evaporation Pulser Tampering
Equipment Leak Pump Test Override
T'he system can isolate some of the variance sections from other sections
thereby
allowing more accurate detenmination of the correlation between variance and
the true
causes for that variance. For example: If a variance occurs during a time
period in
which no delivery has taken place, but fuel has been pumped, the process can
rule out
the "Loading", "Transporting" and "Delivery" sections for variance, so the
process can
more accurately correlate the variance to the "On Site" sections.
Furthermore, the system can measure the temperature of the product at every
point of
volume measurement, and make a correction adjustment to bring the volume into
net
terms. This can minimize the effect that temperature change can have on
variance.
The system can also find a qualitative or a quantitative correlation between
the variance
and all of the variance factors. It can accomplish this using multiple
regression
analysis. This allows the system to be able to indicate if there is a leak in
a fuel take,
pluming or dispensers. It also allows the system to determine if a dispenser
needs to be
recalibrated, if someone is stealing fuel, or if a truck has a leak or holds
back fuel
during a delivery. This is just some of the useful information the CIM system
can
provide.
- Page 103 -
Image CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit K-Business Period Activity Isolation (Delivery / Non-Delivery)
1) The designed system allows for reconciliation to take place on demand,
allowing the
business using the invention and system to dictate the time of physical to
book
reconciliation. This can be accomplished accurately by rapidly reading:
-tank level measurements
-tank product temperature at various strata layers
-dispenser sales measurements and
-dispenser temperature measurements
To accomplish the above measurements, the system enters what has been dubbed
as a
"Rapid Read" mode, hitherto referred to as a "snapshot." Rapid Read mode is
unique to
and possible for because 1) the CIM system uses the Internet as a
communication
medium to tell the local Retail System exactly what tank manifold systems
(includes
plumbed tanks and dispenser) need to be measured and allows for process
prioritization,
drastically increasing focus of CPU power for gathering large quantities of
raw data
rapidly and 2) the local system allows for non-sale disturbing real-time
reading of the
interim dispensed quantity and temperature at each active dispenser, using an
off the-
shelf pulse counter, in one configuration, that can be read over a network
communication wire.
In contrast, other systems cannot allow user/host-dictated (I.e. real-time)
reconciliation
to occur. Instead, it listens for an idle business period before taking what
it dubs as
"essential" simultaneous readings of both the tank and dispenser systems,
which can be
used fox later reconciliation.
The differences in functionality are material in every sense where an on
demand
reconciliation would be desirable. For instance: succeeding a short delivery
the system
could notify the delivering driver to check his hauling vessel for retain
prior to
accepting his next dispatch instruction.
2) The system does not require that tank measurements and dispenser
measurements be
taken simultaneously, but rather a process has been developed and documented
allowing for near simultaneous readings to be aligned to a common time stamp.
In contrast, some existing systems, for accuracy, take measurement readings
simultaneously. Purportedly, the only way to accomplish this is to wait for an
idle
business time where there are no active sales on the manifold's dispensers as
true
simultaneous readings from the manifold system are not likely possible or
repeatable
when sales are occurring.
3) The system allows for an on-demand reconciliation to be run as an
appropriate
consequence of classified events. These events include but are not limited to
delivery
prior authorization request (driver inputs BOL information and requests
authorization to
unload), delivery post authorization request (driver indicates unload
completion and
requests release from system so as to make available next dispatched load),
and admin
automated scheduled basis (daily cut-off period or other cycle as determined
necessary).
- Page 105 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
The system can use the event triggering the reconciliation process to
determine the
business activities that took place from the prior request to that time (sales
period w/o
delivery, sales period w/delivery etc.,.) and thereby isolate reconciliation
periods
precisely.
In contrast, other systems rely on environmental conditions detected by the
various
measurement apparatus to detect a delivery (e.g. if the float rises
significantly, then a
delivery has been assumedly detected) and it cannot precisely isolate the pre-
delivery
sales period from the actual delivery period.
The differences in functionality are material in every instance where precise
reconciliation period determination would be required. For instance, if theft
occurred
by removing product from the fuel system in an unaccountable manner, just
prior to the
delivery, existing systems would likely include the variance generated by that
event in
association with the delivery, where on the other hand, the present
invention's on
demand reconciliation capability would allow reconciliation to occur just
prior to the
delivery and absolutely vindicate the delivery process of any variance
sourcing
activities that took place prior to the delivery process.
4) The system allows both consideration of and where necessary provides actual
temperature measurement for all points of physical measurement. The points of
physical measurement can include:
-Loading Rack (Consideration of BOL)
-Liquid Product Storage Tank
-Fuel Dispenser
There can be significant temperature change occurring both during delivery to
retail
facility from load rack as well as from the liquid product storage tank to the
fuel
dispenser. To allow true reconciliation to occur, on net gallon terms, it is
necessary to
measure temperature in conjunction with every measurement of physical volume.
The
present invention allows for temperature to be measured at the physical
location of the
dispenser meter wheel and to record the temperature multiple times during any
sales
transaction. This temperature has consistently shown in repeated tests to be
different
than both the temperature in the liquid storage tank as well as neighboring
dispensers
plumbed to the same liquid storage tank. The temperature readings of a
dispensed sale
are unique per sales transaction and are a function of at least the following
variables:
-Tank Fluid Temperature
-Surrounding Ground Temperature
-Pipe Wall Thickness
-Pipe Wall Material
-Proximity of Dispenser Skirt Relative to Rays of the Sun
-Ambient Air Temperature
-Fluid Flow Rate
-Duration of Time Since Last Transaction
- Page 106 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
The present invention allows the temperature to be measured in conjunction
with the
sale yet it does not have to apply the temperature correction to the retail
sale-It can
report the gross volume of the sale and the temperature corrected net volume
of the sale
separately.
In contrast, many existing systems take the average of the temperature in the
tank at the
beginning of the transaction and the temperature of the tank at the end of the
transaction
and to assign that average to the sale.
The inadequate dispenser temperature assignment method used in existing
systems
would result in reconciliation variance because the gross to net conversion of
each
book-adjusting sale would be performed with a temperature different than that
of the
product passing through the dispenser meter housing (i.e. the point of
measurement).
This problem would be magnified where volume throughput is high.
- Page 107 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit L-Maintenance of Net Volume Book Balance
Each transaction that transpires is converted to net 60 degree Fahrenheit
volume terms
before adjusting the Net book balance.
1. Sales Transactions records (See Exhibit N) include gross volume, manifold
id and
temperature. The ASTM provided Gross to Net conversion (See Exhibit E) formula
is
used to reference Gross to Net conversion factor, which is multiplied by the
gross
volume to arnve at Net Volume.
Ih Delivery Transaction records (See Exhibit In include gross volume, manifold
id,
temperature, and even include, as per the BOL, the Net Volume.
III. Reconciliation variances are computed as the difference between the Net
Book
Volume and the Net Physical volume. The variance calculated can be considered
a Net
Variance and it can be added to the Net Book Volume.
- Page 108 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit M-On-Site Data Accumulation Methods
RF Wireless Unit
- Page 109 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit N-Sales Transaction Record Format (Including Temperature)
<ClosedSales>
<ClosedSale>
This can be a tokenized string in the format of
token:value~token:value. . .
where the tokens are:
TOKEN Meaning
For Tank Non-blended product - tank
number.
example (example: Tank:l)
One Blended Product - tanks and
blend ratio
tank:Tank:2 separated by commas. Blend
ratio is
~Time:2004- decimal value to apply to
the first tank in
OS-28 string
10:34:OO~In (example: Tank:1,2,0.6000
means tank 1
v:123A456 and tank 2 are blended with
60% being
7~Vo1:45.66 from tank 1
6~Tmp:56 Time Transaction time in YYYY-MM-DD
Blen I-iH:MM:SS format _
ded Inv Invoice number
tank:Tank:4 Vol Volume
,6,0.6000~Ti Tm Temperature
me:2004-
OS-28 10:34:OO~Inv:123A4567~Vo1:45.666~Tmp:56
</ClosedSale>
</ClosedSales>
- Page 110 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit O-Loca! to Host Alarm Communication
This message can be sent from the site back to corporate:
<TankAlann>
<Site>
Site branch number
</Site>
<Time>
Date/Time of message sent in YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS format
</Time>
<Alanms>
<Alarm>
<Category>
Category of alarm
</Category>
<Niunber>
Id number of alarm
</Nurnber>
<SensorNum>
Sensor number or tank
<lSensorNum>
<Occur:Dts>
Time alarm occurred
</OccurDts>
</Alarm>
<Alanm>
<Category>
Category of alarm
</Category>
<Number>
Id number of alarm
</Number>
<SensorNum>
Sensor number or tank
</SensorNum>
<OccurDts>
Time alarm occurred
</OccurDts>
</Alarm>
</Alarms>
</TankAlarm>
Acknowledgement of Alarm notification:
<TankAlarm>
<Resp>
- Page 111 -
Image CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit P-Reconciliation Data Report Example
05001 BB Branch: Manifold:
Fuel Reconciliation Data
TABLE REQUEST TIME DURATION ACK MESSAGE INV TIME PHYSICAL 1NV
I'ROBE_REQUEST 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41 2 Y 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40.114
13759.91939
BOOK 1NV
111960.3298
TABLE TANK TEMPERATURE TURBULANCE
TANK READING 4 67.74 N
TABLE PUMP READING TIME TEMPERATURE QUANTITY TRAN TYPE
INTERIM_SALE 14 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:013000 0 .55 O
INTERIM_SALE 14 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:036000 0 ,55 O
INTERIM_SALE 8 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:064000 012.38 O
INTERIM_SALE 8 28-DEC-200411:37:42:066000 0 12.38 O
INTERIM_SALE 9 28-DEC-2004 11:37:39:999000 0 5.593 C
TABLE TANK READING_TIME LEVEL TYPE HEIGTH
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:000000 W .22
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:001000 S 76.53
TAN'K_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:114000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:120000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:126000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:132000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:138000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:144000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:389000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC;-2004 1 I :37:40:395000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:401000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:407000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 I I :37:40:413000 F 76.5
T.ANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:419000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:533000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:539000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 I I :37:40:545000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:551000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-200411:3?:40:557000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-200411:37:40:563000 F 76.51
TANK LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:679000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-200411:37:40:685000 F 76.5
TANK LEVEL 4 28-DEC-200411:37:40:691000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-200411:37:40:697000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-200411:37:40:703000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 1 I :37:40:709000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-200411:37:40:826000 F 76.5
TANK LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 I 1:37:40:832000 F 76.5
- Page 113 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
05001 BB Branch: Manifold:
Fuel Reconciliation Data
TANK LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37;40:838000 F 76.5
TANKyLEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:844000 F 76.5
TANKuLEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:850000 F 76.5
TANK LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:856000 F 76.5
TANK_yLEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:970000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:9?6000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:982000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 I 1:37:40:988000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:994000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:000000 F 76.52
TANK LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:116000 F 76.51
TANK LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11;37:41:122000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:128000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:134000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:140000 F 76.5
TANK LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:146000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:263000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:269000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:275000 F 76.5
T'ANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:281000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:287000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:293000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-200411:37:41:408000 F 76.52
TAlVI~_.LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:414000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-200411:37:41:420000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-200411:37:41:426000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:432000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC'.-2004 11:37:41:438000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:553000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:559000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:565000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:571000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:577000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:583000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-200411:37:41:698000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-200411:37:41:704000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-200411:37:41:710000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-200411:37:41:716000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:722000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:728000 F 76.51
TANK LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:845000 F 76.52
05001 BB Branch: Manifold:
Fuel Reconciliation Data
TANK LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 1 i :37:41:851000 F 76.52
- Page 114 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
'TANK LEVEL 4 28-DEC-200411:37:41:857000 F 76.52
'LANK LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:863000 F 76.52
'LANK LEVEL 4 28-DEC-200411:37:41:869000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:8?5000 F 76.52
'LANK LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:990000 F 76.51
'.LANK LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41:996000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-200411:37:42:002000 F 76.51
TANI~_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:008000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:014000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:020000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:135000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:141000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:147000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:153000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:159000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:165000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:282000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:288000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:294000 F 76.52
T ANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:300000 F 76.52
TANK LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:306000 F 76.52
TANK LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:312000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:428000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:434000 F 76.51
T'ANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:440000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:3?:42:446000 F 76.51
T'ANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:452000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:458000 F 76.51
T'ANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:572000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:578000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:584000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:590000 F 76.5
T'ANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC;-2004 11:37:42:596000 F 76.5
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:602000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:?18000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-200411:37:42:724000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:?30000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:736000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:742000 F 76.53
TANK LEVEL 4 28-DEC;-2004 11:37:42:748000 F 76.53
05001 BB Branch: Manifold:
Fuel Reconciliation Data
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC'.-2004 11:37:42:865000 F 76.52
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:871000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC'.-2004 11:37:42:877000 F 76.51
TANK LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:883000 F 76.51
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CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:3?:42:889000 F 76.51
TANK_LEVEL 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:42:895000 F 76.51
TABLE TANK READING_TIME SENSOR TEMPERAT
1JRE
TANK_TEMPERATURE 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:0010001 59.01
TANK_TEMPERATURE 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:00i000 2 59.04
TANK_TEMPERATURE 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:001000 3 59.01
TANK_TEMPERATURE 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:001000 4 59.29
TANK_TEMPERATURE 4 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40:001000 5 59.6
TABLE DATE INVOICE_NBR TEMPERATURE QUANTITY BLEND RATIO
TANK
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 08:06:24 00164036 71.42 87.509 1 1
C:LOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:19:29 00164445 0 7.462 .6 4
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11;19:29 00164445 0 7.462 .4 5
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:19:47 00164446 69.32 124.495 1 1
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:20:16 00164448 60 8.025 1 4
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:20:29 00164449 60 10.066 1 4
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:21:18 00164444 0 20.725 .6 4
C:LOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:21:18 00164444 0 20.725 .4 5
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:21:19 00164442 71.42 110.892 1 1
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:21:20 00164451 0 8.594 .6 4
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:21:20 00164451 0 8.594 .4 5
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:21:38 00164447 80.13 9.657 1 3
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:27:45 00164463 60 18.377 1 5
C',LOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:28:18 00164465 60 16.772 1 4
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:28:58 00164472 0 7.62 .6 4
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:28:58 00164472 0 7.62 .4 5
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:30:21 00164470 6010.082 1 5
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:30:32 00164471 0 17.093 .6 4
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:30:32 00164471 017.093 .4 5
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:30:35 00164469 60 22.776 1 4
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:32:45 00164485 60 5.593 1 4
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:35:14 00164487 0 12.871 .6 4
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:35:14 00164487 0 12.871 .4 5
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:35:42 00164489 011.721 .6 4
CLOSED_SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:35:42 00164489 0 11.721 .4 5
CLOSED SALE 28-DEC-2004 11:37:19 00164493 60 6.527 1 4
- Page 116 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit Q-Tank Strapping Procedure or Process
Preparation
I. User orders dispenser calibration service
Il. User validates completion of dispenser calibration
III. User validates completion of hardware/software configuration at retail
branch
IV. User notifies drivers/on-site personnel that no deliveries are allowed
until strapping
completion
Strapping Procedure
V. User identifies:
Branch ID
Manifold ID
Max Time Span
Min Volume
Volume Increment
Volume Unit of Measure (UOM)
VI. User initiates strapping data collection
VII. Host computer (CIM) uses the following process to accumulate the
strapping data:
""Create Variables
Time Span: Date/Time
Time: DateJTime
Min_Volume: Float
Book_Volume: Float
Volume_Increment: Float
Accum_Volurne: Float
UOM: Char
Tank_Height Deviation: Float
Deviation Threshold: Float
""Strapping Data Collection
While Time <= Time Span
Do
Update Book Volume
While Book_Volume >=Min Volume
Do
Update Accum Volume
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CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
If Accum Volume >=Volume Increment
Then
Run and Store Quick Read Samples (See Exhibit F)
Calculate Tank_Height Deviation from Samples
If Tank_Height_Deviation <= Deviation_Threshold
Then
Run Reconciliation (See Exhibit A,G,H)
Store X:Y{Gross Manifold Vol:Temperature
Corrected '
Variance) ""Correct to Avg Manifold Temperature
(See
Exhibit S)
Reset Accum Volume
Else
Reset Accum_Volume
Else
While End
While End
Break
IIV. Host computer (CIM) notifies user of strapping data collection completion
IV. User Notifies drivers/onsite personnel that deliveries can commence
V. User views strapping data results and resulting calibration formulas
(Manifold
Level)
VI. User edits results if necessary
VII. User commits calibration formulas
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CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit R-Exemplary Hardware Requirements
I. Inventory Measurement Device
The device needs t.o be able to provide either of the following sets of data:
1. Mass Only with Representative Time Stamp
OR
2. Volume and Temperature, both with Representative Time Stamp
II. Transfer Measurement Device
The device needs to be able to measure inventory transfer at either input side
or
output
side or both. It must provide either of the following sets of data:
1. Mass only with Representative Time Stamp
OR
2. Volume and Temperature, both with Representative Time Stamp
III. Communication Medium
The devices utilized must be able to communicate the measurement readings
electronically, in a format readable by either the Local, or the Host system.
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CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit S-Tank Strapping Temperature Correction Treatment
It is desirable to append the temperature of the fuel tank manifold along with
the
temperature of the fuel being dispensed to every sales transaction, during the
Tank
Strapping process. This can be done so the gallons dispensed can be converted
to what
they would have been at the tank temperature. This method can minimize any
bias in
the tank strapping curve, and therefore increase the accuracy of the system.
The
following describes an exemplary process to accomplish this.
1 ) When the Tank Strapping process is started a period inventory temperature
can
be calculated, by averaging the temperature from the prior and current
reconciliations.
The derived period inventory temperature can be used to temperature-correct
each
interim sales transaction to the same temperature as what prevailed in the
inventory
tanks. This can be done using only the thermistors in the tanks that are below
the fuel
level (see Exhibit A). These are the only thermistors used because any
thermistor above
the fuel level would be air temperature, which could be different from the
fuel
temperature.
2) As fuel is dispensed each transaction can be accompanied by temperature of
the
fuel at the point of measurement in the fuel dispenser.
3) When the reported sales volumes (Accum Volume in Exhibit Q) reaches the
next incremental threshold volume (Volume Increment in Exhibit Q), then the
total
manifold volume can be converted to net volume terms, using an ASTM certified
method, to obtain a conversion factor for converting volume at tank
temperature to
equivalent volume at 60°F. For example:
Measured: Gross_Volume = 10,000 gallons, Temperature = 73°F, API
Gravity = 57.5
Calculated: API Gravity at 60°F = 55.9, Conversion Factor = .9914,
Net_Volume = Conversion_Factor * Gross_Volume
9914 = .9914 * 10,000
4) The process can do a similar calculation to convert each transaction volume
dispensed into -net 60°F terms. Then the process can take the sum of
the net volume
dispensed, and divide it by the tank conversion factor used to bring the tank
inventory to
net 60°F terms. The result is dispensed volume temperature corrected to
prevailing tank
temperature. For example:
Calculated:
Net Disp_Vol = 500
Tank_Conversion_Factor = .9914
Disp_Vol_at_Tank_Temp = Net_Disp Vol / Tank Conversion_Factor
504.34 = 500 / .9914
Disp VoI at_Tank Temp = 504.34
5) It is the Disp_Vol at_Tank_Temp that the system can use to subtract from
our
previous tank volume to calculate our calibrated_volume (see Exhibit T).
6) Each time Accum_Volume reaches the Volume_Increment amount a new
manifold temperature can be measured, and an average temperature can be
calculated
between this current measurement and the previous manifold temperature. This
process
can be repeated until the Tank Strapping Process (see Exhibit Q) is complete.
Page 120 -
CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit T -- Tank Strapping Calculations
1) Assume manufacturer's height vs. volume chart is correct when tank is
approximately 90% filled. In other words, the variance is zero. Example:
Manufacturer's Chart Calibrated Chart
Hei ht Volume Hei t Volume
108" 19122 108" 19122
2) Then the fuel reconciliation process can be started (see Exhibit Q).
3) When the next volume measurement is received,~(i.e. after the predefine
amount of fuel has been dispensed.) the process can then calculate the
variance from our "expected" volume based on the manufacturer's charts.
Below are the formulas used to calculate variance. All volumes are adjusted
to the average manifold temperature (see Exhibit S).
Gross volume_from_chart_readings = expected volume
Gross Initial_volume - dispensed_volume = calibrated volume
Calibrated_volume - expected volume = variance
4) The variance can be calculated every time a new volume measurement is
received from the Tank Strapping Process. Fox example: a measurement can
be received for every hundred gallons of fuel dispensed.
5) When all volume and variance measurements have been calculated then the
process can plot the volume vs. the variance and the volume vs. height
relationships.
Example: The initial volume vs. height graph when tank is tilted.
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CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
Exhibit U BOL Delivery Record Format
The Bill of Lading information captured per each delivery instance includes:
Route Start Time
Route End Time
Freight Bill #
Truck #
Trailer 1 #
Trailer 2 #
Trailer 3 #
Customer Name
Customer ID
Supplier Name
Supplier ID
Ship From Name
Ship From ID
Ship To Name
Ship To >D
BOL Date
BOL Start Time
BOL End Time
Wait Time
Supplier BOL
BOL Product Name
BOL Product m
BOL Gross Volume
BOL Net Volume
BOL Volume UOM
BOL Density
BOL Density UOM
BOL Temperature
BOL Temp UOM
Retail Product Name
Retail Product ID
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CA 02493307 2005-O1-19
The present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without
departing
from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to
be
considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope
of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by
the
foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range
of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
- Page 125
