SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING MIS-FUELLING OF VEHICLES AT SERVICE STATIONS

摘要

A system is disclosed in which the operation of service station fore-court equipment, such as a fuel pump (6), is controlled in dependence on an image captured from the vehicle (4) desiring to use the equipment. A camera (8), for example, captures the number plate of the vehicle while at the pump (6), or upon entry into the fore-court area, and compares the number plate with a database of registered vehicle information to determine the type of fuel the vehicle requires. The operation of the pump is inhibited if the wrong fuel is selected, thereby avoiding mis-fuelling of the vehicle and the ensuing damage to the engine. Instead of the number plate, a sticker or other visible identifier may be used.