CA2493307A1

CA2493307A1 - Systems and methods for central control, monitoring, and reconciliation of liquid product

Info

Publication number: CA2493307A1
Application number: CA002493307A
Authority: CA
Inventors: John D. Hillam; Richard D. Peterson; Gary Shellabarger; Jon M. Scoleri; Vincent J. Memmott; Alan D. Blakeslee; Kerby L. Cate
Original assignee: Flying J Inc
Current assignee: Pilot Travel Centers LLC
Priority date: 2005-01-14
Filing date: 2005-01-19
Publication date: 2006-07-14

Abstract

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 of the present invention provide a system and method for tracking fuel deliveries from one point of distribution to another point of distribution, managing the total fuel inventory at the distribution location, and reconciling of measured liquid volumes against those volumes stored at a centralized inventory management system.

Description

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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 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 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 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 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 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-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.

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 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 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 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.

[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 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.

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 [0037] Figure 8 illustrates a schematic representation of a computer and associated systems within which the system of Figure 1 can be implemented.

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.

[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 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 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 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.

[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 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.

[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 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 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 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 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 Dis enser Leak Dis enser Calibration Pulser Tam erin Pump Test Override [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.

[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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

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 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.

[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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

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 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 (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 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.

[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) 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.

[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 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 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 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, 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 (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.

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 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.

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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 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>

<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 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-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 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 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]

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.

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"

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) 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 -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 -45 0.5x2 + 166.5x -49 0.25x2 + 191.05x - 2150.7 53 7E-12x2 + 218x -5 0.25x2 + 189.45x 61 -0.25x2 + 249.35x - 3855.2 65 -0.25x2 + 249.55x - 3868.4 69 -0.5x2 + 283.5x 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 93 -1.5x2 + 448.9x 97 -2x2 + 546x -16608 101 -2x2 + 545.6x -105 -2.75x2 + 702.05x 109 -3.25x2 + 810.55x 113 -5x2 + 1204.4x -116 -12.5x2 + 2948.5x 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

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 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;

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;

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;

-- 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

END IF;
- DEFINE CURVE COEFFICIENTS
IF (SetCurveCoefficients( IAPI, K0, Kl) < 0) THEN
-- CURVE COEFFICIENTS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED, RETURN

RETURN;
END IF;
-- CHECK VALID TEMPERATURE RANGES
IF (ITEMP < 0) THEN
-- RETURN' ON NEGATIVE TEMP

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;

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;

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>

<Water>
Water level </Water>
<FuelHeight>
Fuel Height - float value </FuelHeight>
<Temp>
Temperature <lTemp>
<Ullage>
Tank Ullage </IJllage>
</Tank>
</Tanks>
<lTankReadResp>

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>

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:

)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 _ </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.

<FuelReconResp>
<Resp>
OK
</Resp>
</FuelReconResp>

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) 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.

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).

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 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.

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.

Exhibit M-On-Site Data Accumulation Methods RF Wireless Unit 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>

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>

Exhibit P-Reconciliation Data Report Example 05001 BB Branch: Manifold:
Fuel Reconciliation Data I'ROBE_REQUEST 28-DEC-2004 11:37:41 2 Y 28-DEC-2004 11:37:40.114 13759.91939 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 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 '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 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

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In a system having a centralized management system, a method for centrally monitoring and controlling the delivery of liquid product to a retail store facility from a carrier that transports liquid product, the method comprising:
receiving at the centralized management system a request from a carrier for instructions relating to delivery of liquid product;
based on data monitored by the centralized management system, determining the liquid product needed in a retail facility selected from the plurality of retail store facilities; and posting an order providing instructions to the carrier regarding liquid product needed in a retail facility selected from the plurality of retail store facilities.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data monitored by the centralized management system comprises data selected from the group consisting of efficiency and economical data.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the request for instructions from the carrier comprises a request for instructions relating to at least one of geographical location of the rack, current location of the carrier, the need of the individual branches or retail stores, and/or the geographical location of the retail store relative to the vehicle and the rack.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the driver rejects the order with a meaningful reason code.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the driver accepts the order and the centralized management system updates the status of the order and forwards the order detail to the loading terminal.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the acts of receiving the request for delivery from the carrier at the centralized management system that monitors and authorizes liquid product drop for a plurality of retail facilities;
accessing a transaction record received from a loading terminal that includes liquid product loading details (e.g., temperature at the rack, type of fuel, the amount of fuel, etc.);
validating the supply product and volume match for inventory needs of the retail facility; and referencing tank manifolds containing the product match and monitoring the tanks to insure that the drop of liquid product goes into the authorized tank.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the acts of posting transaction record data to carrier for validation, receiving validation from the driver for the transaction record;
posting authorization to driver to drop fuel;
receiving notification of drop completion and updating book balance as per loading transaction record.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the act of sending a request for instructions from the carrier relating to delivery of said liquid product.

9. In a system having a centralized management system and at least one retail facility, a method for preventing delivery of a liquid product to a retail facility, the method comprising the acts of:

monitoring one or more tanks at the retail facility for liquid product delivery from a carrier;
identifying delivery of liquid product to an unauthorized tank; and automatically terminating delivery of the liquid product as a control signal is sent from at least one of the retail facility and the centralized management system to the carrier.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the act of automatically terminating delivery further comprises sending the control signal to the carrier via a wireless communication protocol.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising shutting down a common air flow solenoid on the carrier vehicle to stop delivery of the liquid product.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein monitoring of said one or more tanks further comprises monitoring said one or more tanks at least one of the retail facility and the centralized management system.

13. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising the acts of:
monitoring a water level within said tank at the retail facility;
identifying that a water float within said tank has risen above a predetermined threshold; and automatically terminating delivery by sending the control signal to the carrier via a wireless communication protocol.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising the acts of automatically shutting off at least one pump dispenser in fluid communication with said tank to prevent delivery of the liquid product to a customer of the retail facility.

15. A method of filtering physical volume determinations within an inventory tank at a point in time, the method comprising acts of:
receiving a plurality of measurement data at a plurality of times, each measurement data representing a volume of liquid product within a tank;
comparing each volume of liquid against at least one predetermined volume identified as being unreliable;
generating a second set of measurement data by eliminating any measurement data from said plurality of measurement data that is identified as being unreliable;
determining a sample mean and a standard deviation for said second set of measurement data; and 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 plus or minus a predetermined number of said standard deviations from said standard mean.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein any measurement data of said plurality of measurement data that is identified as being unreliable comprises data above or below defined thresholds relative to any other measurement data within said plurality of measurement data.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein said defined threshold can be at least one of a maximum tank volume and a minimum tank volume, such that measurement data that is greater than a maximum tank volume and/or measurement data that is lesser than a minimum tank volume is eliminated when said second set of measurement data is generated.

18. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising the act of associating each said measurement data of said third set of measurement data with a common time.

19. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising the act of averaging each said measurement data of said third set of measurement data at the common time period.

20. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising the act of generating one or more series of said measurement data, each series comprising one said volume of liquid product for each said tank for a particular manifold.

21. The method as recited in claim 20, further comprising the acts of averaging said volume of liquid from each said tank for said particular manifold to generate a cumulate volume for a first series of said one or more series; and determining a time stamp for each of said measurement data of said series, each said time stamp representing a time of said plurality of times when said measurement data was measured; and following determining an average of the differences between said time stamps for said first series, generating a cumulative time stamp for said first serves.

22. The method as recited in claim 20, further comprising the acts of aligning all of said one or more series to said cumulative time stamp of said first series.

23. A method of providing virtual real-time status of sales transactions in order to perform a liquid product fuel reconciliation regardless of ongoing sells, the method comprising the acts of:

receiving a request to perform a fuel reconciliation;
identifying the duration for rapid accumulation of data during the reconciliation;
identifying the status of one or more dispensers; and based on the status of the one or more dispensers, updating either the physical inventory or the adjusted book value to appropriately determine the book to physical reconciliation.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the status is an interim status for updating the physical inventory, wherein the interim status is chosen from one of an interim open, interim closed or interim stacked.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the status is a closed transaction and the adjusted book value is updated with information corresponding to the closed transaction.

26. A method of real-time communication of temperature and volume readings directly from a dispenser for reconciliation purposes, the method comprising the acts of:

collecting a plurality of flow data at a dispenser corresponding to the amount of liquid product dispensed from a dispensing apparatus during a defined time interval;
collecting a plurality of temperature data at a plurality of times within said defined time interval during which said liquid product was dispensed from one or more dispensers, each said temperature data representative of a temperature of said liquid product at one of said plurality of times; and transmitting said plurality of flow data and said plurality of temperature data to a centralized system for use during a liquid product reconciliation process.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said plurality of flow data is transmitted via the Internet, frame relay or a wireless connection.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein said liquid product reconciliation process comprises:

identifying and converting a plurality of tank fuel level readings from at least one measurement device to net gallons, each tank fuel level reading having an associated time stamp;
following identifying gross sales volumes of said liquid product dispensed from said one or more dispensers, convert said gross sales volumes to net volumes based upon said plurality of flow data and said plurality of temperature data;

converting each tank fuel level reading, in net gallons, from said associated time stamp to a cumulative time stamp;
determining net sales volumes for said liquid product dispensed from said dispenser to calculate net physical volume of said liquid product in said tank; and reconciling said net physical volume of said liquid product in said tank against data representative of a net book balance at a centralized management system.

29. The method as recited in claim 28, further comprising grouping said converted plurality of tank fuel levels into one or more series, each series including a tank fuel level from each tank of a plurality of tanks connected to a manifold.

30. A method for performing an on-demand reconciliation process, the method comprising acts of:

upon receiving an electronic transaction record, delivering a notice to a retail facility from at least one of a centralized management system and a carrier that a load of liquid product is about to be delivered to the retail facility;
initiating a book to physical balance reconciliation of one or more tanks prior to receiving the delivery;
following completion of the book to physical balance reconciliation, granting authorization to deliver the load of liquid product upon receiving an indication that the delivery of the liquid product has been completed, performing a second book to physical reconciliation process to identify any irregularities between the electronic transaction record and the physical liquid product delivered to the tank.

31. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein said electronic transaction record further comprises data representative of a temperature, a density, and a volume of the liquid product at a rack.

32. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein said electronic transaction record and said notice are delivered via the Internet or a wireless connection.

33. A method for standardizing liquid product volume during a delivery process, the method comprising the acts of:

receiving, at a centralized management system, at least one rack temperature reading corresponding to liquid product as delivered at a rack;
receiving, at a centralized management system, at least one tank temperature reading corresponding to a temperature of said liquid product dispensed into an inventory tank;
receiving, at a centralized management system, at least one dispenser temperature reading corresponding to a temperature of said liquid product dispensed from said at least one dispenser; and converting measured volumes at said rack, said inventory tank, and said dispenser from gross to net using said at least one rack temperature, said at least one tank temperature, and said at least one dispenser temperature to compensate for differences in measured volumes at said rack, said inventory tank, and said dispenser due to temperature differences at said rack, said inventory tank, and said dispenser.

34. The method as recited in claim 33, further comprising time stamping each of said at least one rack temperature reading, said at least one tank temperature reading, and said at least one dispenser temperature reading.

35. In a centralized monitoring and control system for tracking liquid product inventory, the system comprising at least one central computer connected to at least one retail computer, a method for controlling the movement of the liquid product from a distributor to a storage tank at the retail site, the method comprising:

requesting a delivery of product;
receiving delivery of said product;
moving said product to the retail site;
delivering said product to the storage tank;
verifying information relating to said product; and preventing additional delivery of said product.

36. A method as recited in claim 35, further comprising:
requesting authorization to deliver said product to the storage tank; and receiving authorization to deliver said product to the storage tank

37. A method as recited in claim 35, wherein the information verified includes information relating to the water content of said product such that if the water content of the product is too high, additional delivery of the product is prevented.

38. A method as recited in claim 35, wherein preventing additional delivery of said product comprises turning off a delivery vehicle's delivery control valve.

39. A method as recited in claim 35, further comprising preventing delivery of a liquid product dispenser in fluid communication with the storage tank in order to prevent delivery of liquid product to a customer's vehicle.

40. A method for collecting flow rate data using a dedicated totalizer within a dispenser, the method comprising acts of:

receiving a plurality of pulses at a first totalizer within a signal dispenser;
receiving pulse information from said first pulser at a second dedicated totalizer within the single dispenser; and before reporting pulse information corresponding to said first totalizer, automatically sending to a centralized management system the pulse information corresponding to the dedicated totalizer.

41. A method for balancing net inventory using a dynamic expansion coefficient of product relative to the temperature changes with density, the method comprising the acts of:

receiving an API gravity report of temperature reported at a rack; and utilizing the API gravity report for maintaining correct densities by utilizing a plurality of expansion coefficients to dynamically convert gross to net for transactions of liquid product in a tank and at a dispenser in order to maintain a net perpetual book balance.

42. In a centralized monitoring and control system for tracking liquid product inventory, the system comprising at least one central computer connected to at least one retail computer, a method for controlling the movement of the liquid product from a distributor to a storage tank of a retail site, the method comprising the steps of:

having a driver send an electronic request for a delivery of the product to the central computer using a portable computing device;
receiving a delivery of the product in a delivery vehicle at a delivery terminal;
transporting said product to the retail site;
having said driver request authorization to deliver said product to the storage tank;
receiving authorization to deliver said product to the storage tank; and delivering said product into the storage tank.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein said electronic request is a supply option for delivery to the retail site and wherein said requesting step includes:

having the central computer post an order with an order number to said portable computing device;
having the driver accept said order; and having the central computer forward said order to a terminal computer at said delivery terminal.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the step of receiving said delivery includes a step for having to a terminal computer at said delivery terminal transmit an electronic transaction record to the central computer.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein the step of having the driver request authorization to deliver further includes the steps of:

sending an authorization request from the portable computing device to the retail computer, said authorization request including at least a product type and a product volume;
having the retail computer verify that the product type and the product volume match a requirement in the storage tank;
performing a book balance to a physical balance reconciliation process for the storage tank;
having the retail computer send a loading transaction record to the portable computer; and having the driver verify the loading transaction record prior to delivering the product.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein the step of delivering the product further comprises steps for:

having the driver unload all of the product into the storage tank;
having the driver notify the retail computer that the product has been unloaded;
having the retail computer update a book balance of the storage tank to include a volume of product contained in the delivery vehicle;
performing the book balance to a physical balance reconciliation process for the storage tank; and verifying that the volume of product contained in the delivery vehicle is now contained in the storage tank.

47. A method of filtering physical volume determinations within an inventory tank at a point in time, the method comprising acts of:

receiving a plurality of measurement data at a plurality of times, the plurality of measurement data including data representative of a temperature of liquid product within a tank and a volume of the liquid product within the tank;
comparing each volume of liquid against at least one predetermined volume identified as being unreliable;
generating a second set of measurement data by eliminating any measurement data from said plurality of measurement data that is identified as being unreliable;
determining a sample mean and a standard deviation for said second set of measurement data; and 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 plus or minus a predetermined number of said standard deviations from said standard mean.

48. The method as recited in claim 47, wherein any measurement data of said plurality of measurement data that is identified as being unreliable comprises data above or below defined thresholds relative to any other measurement data within said plurality of measurement data.

49. The method as recited in claim 48, wherein said defined threshold can be at least one of a maximum tank volume and a minimum tank volume, , such that measurement data that is greater than a maximum tank volume and/or measurement data that is lesser than a minimum tank volume is eliminated when said second set of measurement data is generated.

50. The method as recited in claim 47, further comprising the act of associating each said measurement data of said third set of measurement data with a common time.

51. The method as recited in claim 47, further comprising the act of averaging each said measurement data of said third set of measurement data at the common time period.

52. The method as recited in claim 47, further comprising the act of generating one or more series of said measurement data, each series comprising one said volume of liquid product for each said tank for a particular manifold.

53. The method as recited in claim 52, further comprising the acts of:

averaging said volume of liquid from each said tank for said particular manifold to generate a cumulate volume for a first series of said one or more series; and determining a time stamp for each of said measurement data of said series, each said time stamp representing a time of said plurality of times when said measurement data was measured; and following determining an average of the differences between said time stamps for said first series, generating a cumulative time stamp for said first series.

54. The method as recited in claim 52, further comprising the acts of aligning all of said one or more series to said cumulative time stamp of said first series.

55. A method for performing an on-demand reconciliation process, the method comprising:

delivering a notice to a retail facility from at least one of (i) a centralized management system; and (ii) a carrier that a certain amount of liquid product will be delivered to the retail facility;
initiating a book to physical balance reconciliation of one or more liquid product storage tanks at the retail facility prior to receiving the delivery;
following completion of the book to physical balance reconciliation, granting authorization the carrier to deliver the amount of liquid product;
upon receiving an indication that the liquid product has been delivered, performing a second book to physical reconciliation process to identify one or more discrepancies between:(A) the amount of liquid product identified in at least one of (i) the notice the retail facility; and (ii) an amount reportedly delivered by the carrier; and (B) the physical liquid product actually delivered to the storage tank.

56. The method as recited in claim 55, wherein a computer system determines whether an amount of liquid product identified has actually been delivered to the retail facility.

57. The method as recited in claim 55, further comprising notifying the corner in the event that a reported amount of liquid product was not actually delivered to the retail facility.

58. The method as recited in claim 55, wherein a discrepancy between amounts reportedly delivered and amounts that were actually delivered is reported to at least one of (i) the carrier; (ii) the retail facility; and (iii) the centralized management system.

59. The method as recited in claim 55, wherein a discrepancy between amounts reportedly delivered on a bill of lading and amounts that were actually delivered is identified to at least one of (i) the carrier; (ii) the retail facility; and (iii) the centralized management system.

60. In a system having a centralized management system, a method for performing an on-demand reconciliation process, the method comprising:

initiating a book to physical balance reconciliation of one or more liquid product storage tanks at a retail facility;
receiving a delivery of product; and following delivery of the liquid product, performing a second book to physical reconciliation process to identify one or more discrepancies between:
(A) the amount of liquid product reportedly delivered to a storage tank; and (B) the physical liquid product actually contained within the storage tank.

61. The method as recited in claim 60, further comprising notifying a carrier in the event that a reported amount of liquid product was not actually delivered to the retail facility.

62. In a system having a centralized management system, a method for performing an on-demand reconciliation process, the method comprising:
initiating a book to physical balance reconciliation of one or more liquid product storage tanks at a retail facility;
following said reconciliation, performing at regular intervals additional book to physical reconciliation processes to identify one or more discrepancies between: (A) the amount of liquid product reportedly contained within a storage tank;
and (B) the physical liquid product actually contained within the storage tank.

63. A method as recited in claim 62, wherein the additional book to physical reconciliation process are performed at five minute intervals.

64. A method of filtering physical volume determinations within an inventory tank at a point in time in order to compensate for waves motions within the tank, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of measurement data at a plurality of times, each measurement data representing a volume of liquid product within a tank;
comparing each volume of liquid against at least one predetermined volume;
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;
determining a sample mean and a standard deviation for said second set of measurement data; and 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.

65. The method as recited in claim 64, further comprising the act of associating each said measurement data of said third set of measurement data with a common time.

66. The method as recited in claim 64, further comprising the act of averaging each said measurement data of said third set of measurement data at the common time period.

67. The method as recited in claim 64, further comprising the act of generating one or more series of said measurement data, each series comprising one said volume of liquid product for each said tank for a particular manifold.

68. The method as recited in claim 64, further comprising the acts of:
averaging said volume of liquid from each said tank for said particular manifold to generate a cumulate volume for a first series of said one or more series; and determining a timestamp for each of said measurement data of said series, each said timestamp representing a time of said plurality of times when said measurement data was measured; and following determining an average of the differences between said timestamps for said first series, generating a cumulative timestamp for said first series.

69. The method as recited in claim 64, further comprising the acts of aligning all of said one or more series to said cumulative timestamp of said first series.

70. A method as recited in claim 64, wherein the at least one predetermined volume comprises a volume that is identified as being unreliable.

71. A method as recited in claim 64, wherein the at least one predetermined volume comprises a volume that is identified as being unreliable and wherein data of said plurality of measurement data that is identified as being unreliable comprises: (A) a volume of liquid that is that is more than a maximum tank volume; (B) a volume of liquid that is that is less than a minimum tank volume; or (C) one or more other volumes of liquid that are identified as being unreliable.

72. In a centralized monitoring and control system for tracking liquid product inventory, the system comprising at least one central computer connected to at least one retail computer, a method for controlling the movement of the liquid product from a distributor to a storage tank at the retail site, the method comprising:
requesting authorization to deliver liquid product from a liquid product carrier; and providing authorization to the carrier from one of (i) a centralized monitoring system and (ii) a retail facility to deliver liquid product.

73. A method as recited in claim 72, further comprising providing information relating to the liquid product to at least one of (i) the centralized monitoring system and (ii) the retail facility.

74. A method as recited in claim 72, wherein the information provided includes information relating to at least one of product type, density, temperature, gross volume, supplier, terminal where the product was loaded, and temperature corrected volume.

75. A method as recited in claim 72, wherein a specific tank in which to deliver the product is identified.

76. A method as recited in claim 72, wherein one or more tanks are monitored to determine if the liquid is delivered to the correct tank.