CPC G06Q 20/327 (2013.01) [G06Q 20/20 (2013.01); G06Q 20/322 (2013.01); G06Q 20/3221 (2013.01); G06Q 20/3226 (2013.01); G06Q 20/3278 (2013.01); G06Q 20/4012 (2013.01); G06Q 20/4014 (2013.01); G06Q 20/40145 (2013.01)] | 8 Claims |
1. A merchant communication terminal for using an autonomous vehicle as an electronic payment device, the merchant communication terminal comprising:
one or more processors in a merchant communication terminal associated with a merchant;
a non-transitory computer-readable memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing thereon instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the merchant communication terminal to:
obtain identification information for an autonomous vehicle;
verify that the autonomous vehicle has not been reported stolen by communicating the identification information to a server for retrieving stolen vehicle records;
detect a triggering event indicating that the autonomous vehicle is within a predetermined range for communicating with the merchant communication terminal;
receive, via a short-range communication link, virtual account information for a virtual account associated with the autonomous vehicle;
receive and accept, via the short-range communication link, an input from the autonomous vehicle authorizing payment for fuel provided by the merchant;
direct a fuel pump to open a valve to provide fuel to the autonomous vehicle;
securely receive, via the short-range communication link, funds from the virtual account at a virtual account for the merchant; and
transmit, via the short-range communication link, a notification that electronic payment for the fuel has been accepted to facilitate the autonomous vehicle acting as a payment device.
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