GB2376550A

GB2376550A - Fuel access card

Info

Publication number: GB2376550A
Application number: GB0114329A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy Herbert Carbis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-13
Filing date: 2001-06-13
Publication date: 2002-12-18
Also published as: GB0114329D0

Abstract

A smart card designed to be issued by insurance companies to clients when they pay their vehicle insurance premiums, and bearing information about the vehicle registration, the vehicle insurance details, and a valid from and expiry date. The card is used to obtain authorisation to disengage a locking mechanism on a retail fuel pump in order to acquire vehicle fuel. The card interacts via an interface, preferably a remote interface, installed in or around a fuel pump, with a motor insurance database. The database verifies that the details on the card are correct and then disengages the locking mechanism on the fuel pump.

Description

The Fuel Access Card (FAC) Background Information In 1998, there were 254,951 convictions for driving whilst uninsured. However, the Association of British Insurers estimate that there are at least one million persons driving whilst uninsured (about 5% of total dnvers). Driving whilst uninsured can be associated with vehicle theft and other forms of criminal activity.

The Motor Insurers Bureau meets the costs of accidents suffered by victims of uninsured drivers. In 2000, the levy on insurance companies is expected to be about E215 million. In addition, the costs borne by insurance companies directly are thought to be at least as much again. These are both passed onto policyholders In the form of higher premiums, in the range ouf 15-20 per poiicyhotder.

The current estimate of the British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS) suggest that'driveoffs', where motorists drive away without paying for their fuel, account for losses worth Ell million each year.

Concept The chief purpose of the Fuel Access Card is obtain authorisation to disengage a locking mechanism on a retail fuel pump in order to acquire vehicle fuel.

It is intended to be issued by insurance companies either with, or instead of, a valid Certificate of Insurance, it will work in conjunction with a motor insurance database (a database containing details on all individually insured vehicles to help tackle the problem of uninsured driving).

The Fuel Access Card creates a unique link between vehicle insurance and the ability to purchase vehicle fuel.

FIGURE 1 is an illustration of a typical Fuel Access Card.

FIGURE 2 explains the components of a Smart Card.

FIGURE 3 demonstrates the basic concept of the Fuel Access Card.

Design Features (see Figure 1) For the commercial and the private motorist, the design of the card will incorporate the following :-

= The vehi e in ur nce po'icy number. - IIIÇ Vc ; llIvlll ; III'='UI COU Iv"" I-'VIlVl. n. "',, "'''''I.

The vehicle registration number.

The name of the vehicle owner.

A'Valid From'date An expiry date.

Commercial motor vehicle traders can be issued with different coloured cards containing- 'The company vehicle insurance policy number.

'The company registration number.

'The trading name of the company.

. A'Valid From'date.

'An expiry date.

The Smart Card (see Figure 2) Description Smart cards, which contain a computer chip and memory, are growing in popularity for a number of applications, including transportation, telecommunications, debit purchasing, and health care.

A smart card is a credit card-size plastic card that, unlike a credit card, has an embedded semiconductor, which lets it accept, store, and send information. It can hold as much as 80 times more data than magnetic-stripe cards, and the embedded semiconductor chip can be either a memory chip with non-programmable logic or a microprocessor with Internal memory.

A smart card basically consists of three parts: a plastic card with or without a magnetic stripe; an electronic module supporting the electrical contacts; and a silicon integrated circuit. All of the components-central processing unit, memory, and 1/0- are in the same integrated circuit chip with electrical connections tying them together Thus, it is difficult for foreign signals to tamper with the interconnections of the components inside the chip, this enhances the security of the smart card.

Advantages Easy to carry-same size and feel as credit cards.

High levels of data control and accountability.

More powerful than magnetic-stripe cards and hold more information.

Secure way to handle private information, e. g. car registration number.

Tamper-resistant data.

Types of Smart Card The chip communicates either directly via a physical contact or remotely via an electromagnetic interface.

Contact smart cards need to be inserted into smart card readers, which touch a conductive module on the surface of the card.

Remote cards use an electromagnetic signal and an antenna on each smart card to create the conversation between the card and the card reader. The microwave frequencies employed also provide the card with its power source. These nonbattery powered cards need to come within 2 to 3 inches of the card reader to be powered.

"Fast card" interfaces, such as those used by transportation fare cards, have greatly benefited from the remote interface, which allows a customer to quickly wave the card near the device, instead of inserting and removing a card, which can slow down lines. It is this type of card that demonstrates great potential for use as a Fuel Access Card.

The Operation of the FAC Smart Card (see Figure 3) 'The chip on the FAC communicates via the remote interface, which is installed in or around the fuel pump, with a motor insurance database . The card details are checked against the database records, . Should successful verification follow, the locking mechanism on the fuel pump is disengaged, allowing fuel to be transferred to the motor vehicle.

' In the event verification is not forthcoming, the fuel pump shall remain locked.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A smart card which contains a computer chip and memory. It has an embedded semiconductor which lets it accent, store and send information ! t consists of three parts :- a. A plastic card with or without a magnetic stripe. b. An electronic module supporting the electrical contacts. c. A silicon or other type of integrated circuit.
2. A card as claimed in Claim 1 that is capable of being scanned by a card reader.
3. A card as claimed in Claim 1 that can exchange information with a database for the purpose of verification.
4. A card as claimed in Claim 1 that bears the following information :- a. A motor vehicle registration. b. The insurance policy number of the vehicle's owner. c. The name of the insured. d-The name of the insurer. e. A Valid From date. f. An Expiry date.
5. A card as claimed in Claim 1 which permits the authorised holder to use it for the purpose of unlocking a mechanism fitted to a fitting station fuel pump, or any other form of fuel delivery system, in order to acquire fuel for a motorised vehicle.

6 A smart card substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.