Intelligent fuel Dispensers
First Claim
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1. A fuel dispenser comprising:
- a housing of the fuel dispenser, the housing having fuel dispensing components disposed therein, having a display attached thereto, and an electronics module disposed at least partially therein, the electronics module of the fuel dispenser including;
a wireless module that initiates a communication session with a customer device in response to the fuel dispenser determining that the customer device is in proximity of the fuel dispenser, and then retrieves, from the customer device, data characterizing identity information of a customer; and
a processor in operative communication with the wireless module and with the display, wherein the processor;
receives, from the wireless module, the data characterizing identity information of the customer,transmits the identity information to a remote processor,receives, from the remote processor, merchant data customized to the identity information,determines at which of a plurality of points during a fueling session to provide the merchant data to the customer via the display, the points comprising a point during dispensing of fuel from the fuel dispenser and a point after the dispensing of fuel from the fuel dispenser, andprovides the merchant data to the customer via the display during the determined point.
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Abstract
In general, intelligent fuel dispensers are provided. In at least some implementations, an intelligent fuel dispenser can determine customer identities and/or other characteristics and provide customized fueling sessions based on the determined customer identities and/or other characteristics. In at least some implementations, the fuel dispenser includes a touchless interface allowing customers to complete fueling sessions with minimal physical contact with the fuel dispenser.
62 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A fuel dispenser comprising:
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a housing of the fuel dispenser, the housing having fuel dispensing components disposed therein, having a display attached thereto, and an electronics module disposed at least partially therein, the electronics module of the fuel dispenser including; a wireless module that initiates a communication session with a customer device in response to the fuel dispenser determining that the customer device is in proximity of the fuel dispenser, and then retrieves, from the customer device, data characterizing identity information of a customer; and a processor in operative communication with the wireless module and with the display, wherein the processor; receives, from the wireless module, the data characterizing identity information of the customer, transmits the identity information to a remote processor, receives, from the remote processor, merchant data customized to the identity information, determines at which of a plurality of points during a fueling session to provide the merchant data to the customer via the display, the points comprising a point during dispensing of fuel from the fuel dispenser and a point after the dispensing of fuel from the fuel dispenser, and provides the merchant data to the customer via the display during the determined point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 25)
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9. A fuel dispenser comprising:
a housing of the fuel dispenser, the housing having fuel dispensing components attached thereto, having a display attached thereto, and an electronics module disposed at least partially therein, the electronics module of the fuel dispenser including; a wireless module; and at least one data processor that; initiates a communication session with a device associated with a customer, receives from the device at least one characteristic of a vehicle associated with the customer, the at least one characteristic of the vehicle being indicative of an amount of fuel in the fuel tank before fuel begins being dispensed from the fuel dispenser to the vehicle, renders on the display, before fuel begins being dispensed from the fuel dispenser to the vehicle, a characterization of the amount of fuel in the fuel tank before fuel begins being dispensed from the fuel dispenser to the vehicle, and changes the rendering of the characterization on the display in real time with fuel being dispensed from the fuel dispenser to the vehicle in a fueling session, the changing being based on a real time fill level of the vehicle'"'"'s fuel tank. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 26)
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17. A fuel dispenser comprising:
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a housing of the fuel dispenser, the housing having fuel dispensing components attached thereto, having a display attached thereto, and an electronics module disposed at least partially therein, the electronics module of the fuel dispenser including; a wireless module; at least one data processor that initiates a communication session with a vehicle of a customer and renders information on a display of the vehicle before the fuel dispenser begins dispensing fuel to the vehicle; an image sensor; and n image processor operatively coupled to the image sensor that receives data characterizing an image from the image sensor and determines identity information of the vehicle using the image; wherein the at least one data processor changes the rendering of the information on the display of the vehicle in real time with the fuel dispenser dispensing fuel to the vehicle, the changing being based on the determined identity information of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification