US 12,306,744 B2
Methods and systems for robotic testing of fuel point of sale terminals
Mike Friedel, Pleasanton, CA (US); Martha Crosley, Pleasanton, CA (US); Joshua Wilber, Pleasanton, CA (US); Bruce Lang, Pleasanton, CA (US); and Subashree Narasimhan, Pleasanton, CA (US)
Assigned to SAFEWAY INC., Pleasanton, CA (US)
Filed by Safeway Inc., Pleasanton, CA (US)
Filed on Aug. 30, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/461,584.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/128,595, filed on Dec. 21, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0194775 A1, Jun. 23, 2022
Int. Cl. G06F 11/3668 (2025.01); B25J 11/00 (2006.01); G06F 8/65 (2018.01); G06F 8/71 (2018.01); G06F 11/3698 (2025.01); G06Q 20/32 (2012.01); G06Q 20/40 (2012.01); B67D 7/04 (2010.01); G06F 11/14 (2006.01)
CPC G06F 11/3688 (2013.01) [B25J 11/008 (2013.01); G06F 8/65 (2013.01); G06F 8/71 (2013.01); G06F 11/3698 (2025.01); G06Q 20/3278 (2013.01); G06Q 20/4012 (2013.01); B67D 2007/0442 (2013.01); G06F 11/1433 (2013.01)] 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of providing fuel to consumers at fuel pumping stations, comprising:
installing a given version of a software update in a fuel pump simulator, wherein the fuel pump simulator comprises a personal identification number (PIN) pad, a plurality of relays, a plurality of fuel grade price displays, a fuel display, a main display, and a first fuel computer communicatively coupled to the PIN pad, to the relays, to the fuel grade price displays, and to the fuel display, and to the main display;
testing the given version of the software update in the fuel pump simulator by an application executing on a processor of an automated fuel pump test platform, wherein the testing comprises a PIN entry robot of the automated fuel pump test platform keying a PIN into the PIN pad of the fuel pump simulator, commanding one of the relays to actuate, wherein actuating the one of the relays simulates selection of a fuel grade, capturing a picture of the fuel display by a camera of the automated fuel pump test platform, capturing a picture of the main display by a camera of the automated fuel pump test platform, comparing the picture of the fuel display to an expected fuel display by the automated fuel pump test platform, and comparing the picture of the main display to an expected main display by the automated fuel pump test platform;
detecting an error in the given version of the software update by the automated fuel pump test platform;
after testing the given version of the software update, installing the software update into a second fuel computer at a fuel pumping station;
receiving an input from a payment card by a fuel pump at the fuel pumping station;
receiving a fuel grade selection input by the fuel pump at the fuel pumping station; and
based on the fuel computer at the fuel pump station executing the software update, pumping fuel by the fuel pump at the fuel pump station, whereby a fuel tank of a vehicle is provided with fuel.