System and method for wirelessly activating an electromechanically controlled fuel dispenser

• US 10,360,647 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2015
• Issued: 07/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meijer (Meijer Cos. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Meijer (Meijer Cos. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Pallas, David Scott, Pugh, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Hai
• Application Number:
  US14/632,810
• Publication Number:
  US 20150242969A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,608 Days
• Field of Search: 705 39
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/145 by wireless communication means, e.g. RF, transponders or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/34 Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply

Abstract

A system and method are provided for remotely activating electromechanically controlled fuel dispensers. Each fuel dispenser is associated in a database with a unique identification code, and a first code is associated with an electronic payment system pre-identified by a fuel purchasing customer for automatic payment processing during fuel purchase transactions. In response to a wirelessly received identification code, the fuel dispenser associated in the database with the identification code that matches the wirelessly received identification code is identified, the identified fuel dispenser is activated to an active state in which the identified fuel dispenser is enabled to dispense fuel if the first code in the database matches a wirelessly received second code, and payment for the purchase of fuel dispensed from the identified fuel dispenser is automatically processed following activation thereof using the pre-identified electronic payment system associated with the first code in the database.

Claims

1. A method of remotely activating any of a plurality of electromechanically controlled fuel dispensers, the method comprising:

with a processor, associating in a first database each of a plurality of fuel dispenser identification codes with a different one of the plurality of fuel dispensers,

with the processor, associating in the first or a second database each of a plurality of customer identification codes with a different one of a corresponding plurality of electronic payment identifiers, each of the plurality of electronic payment identifiers specifying an associated electronic payment system pre-selected for automatic processing of payment for the purchase of fuel during subsequent fuel purchase transactions using any of the plurality of fuel dispensers,

wirelessly receiving by the processor one or more signals wirelessly transmitted by a mobile electronic device, the wirelessly received one or more signals containing a first identification code and a second identification code, the first identification code uniquely associated with at least one of the mobile electronic device and a user of the mobile electronic device and the second identification code uniquely associated with a selected one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from which the user of the mobile electronic device desires to dispense fuel,

in response to the wirelessly received one or more signals,

determining with the processor the one of the plurality of customer identification codes in the first or second database that matches the wirelessly received first identification code, and

identifying with the processor the selected one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from which the user of the mobile electronic device desires to dispense fuel by determining with the processor the one of the plurality of fuel dispensers associated in the first database with a fuel dispenser identification code that matches the wirelessly received second identification code,

determining with the processor the one of the plurality of electronic payment identifiers associated in the first or second database with the determined one of the plurality of customer identification codes, and

automatically upon determining that the electronic payment system associated in the first or second database with the determined one of the electronic payment identifiers is authorized for payment against fuel to be dispensed by the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers, controlling with the processor the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from a normally inactive state in which it is prevented from dispensing fuel to an active state in which it is enabled to dispense fuel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of fuel dispensers is configured to dispense any of a plurality of different grades or types of fuel,

and wherein the method further comprises associating, with the processor, in the first or second database a fuel preference identifier with each of the plurality of customer identification codes, each fuel preference identifier identifying a pre-selected one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel to be dispensed by any of the plurality of fuel dispensers during subsequent fuel purchase transactions associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of customer identification codes,

and wherein controlling the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from the inactive state to the active state comprises automatically enabling the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers to dispense the one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel identified by the fuel preference identifier associated in the first or second database with the determined one of the plurality of customer identification codes.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of fuel dispensers is configured to dispense any of a plurality of different grades or types of fuel,

and wherein the method further comprises:

associating, with the processor, in the first or second database the determined one of the plurality of customer identification codes with two or more motor vehicle identifiers each identifying a different motor vehicle,

associating, with the processor, in the first or second database at least one of the two or more motor vehicle identifiers with a first pre-selected one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel for dispensing by any of the plurality of fuel dispensers into at least one motor vehicle identified by the at least one of the two or more motor vehicle identifiers during subsequent fuel purchase transactions,

associating, with the processor, in the first or second database at least another of the two or more motor vehicle identifiers with a second pre-selected one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel, different from the first one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel, for dispensing by any of the plurality of fuel dispensers into the at least one motor vehicle identified by the at least another of the two or more motor vehicle identifiers during subsequent fuel purchase transactions, and

wirelessly receiving by the processor at least one signal wirelessly transmitted by the mobile electronic device, the wirelessly received at least one signal containing a selection of one of the two or more motor vehicle identifiers specified through user interaction with the mobile electronic device,

and wherein controlling the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from the inactive state to the active state comprises

enabling the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers to dispense the first one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel if the selected one of the two or more vehicle identifiers is the at least one of the two or more motor vehicle identifiers, and

enabling the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers to dispense the second one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel if the selected one of the two or more vehicle identifiers is the at least another of the two or more motor vehicle identifiers.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of fuel dispensers is configured to dispense any of a plurality of different grades or types of fuel,

and wherein the method further comprises wirelessly receiving by the processor at least one signal wirelessly transmitted by the mobile electronic device, the wirelessly received at least one signal containing a fuel code, specified through user interaction with the mobile electronic device, identifying one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel,

and wherein controlling the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from the inactive state to the active state comprises enabling the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers to dispense the one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel identified by the received fuel code.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of customer identification codes comprises, or is associated in the first or second database with, a unique security code,

and wherein the wirelessly received one or more signals contains a transmitted security code,

and wherein the processor determines the one of the plurality of electronic payment identifiers only if the unique security code comprising, or associated in the first or second database with, the determined one of the plurality of customer identification codes matches the transmitted security code.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of fuel dispensers is part of a retail enterprise,

and wherein the determined one of the plurality of customer identification codes comprises, or is associated in the first or second database with, one of a plurality of enterprise membership service identification codes each uniquely identifying a corresponding one of a plurality of customers as a customer member of an enterprise membership service program associated with the retail enterprise,

and wherein the first or second database has stored therein a purchase history containing a record of purchases previously made from the retail enterprise by each of the plurality of customer members of the enterprise membership service program,

and wherein the method further comprises:

associating, with the processor, in the first or the second database each of the plurality of customer identification codes with a different one of a plurality of mobile communication devices,

generating or retrieving from the first or the second database by the processor at least one discount coupon for a product or service from the retail enterprise based on the purchase history of the one of the plurality of customer members of the enterprise membership service program having an enterprise membership service identification code comprising, or associated in the first or second database with, determined one of the plurality of customer identification codes,

wirelessly transmitting, with the processor, the at least one discount coupon or notification of the at least one discount coupon to the one of the plurality of mobile communication devices associated in the first or second database with the determined one of the plurality of customer identification codes, and

following completion of dispensation of fuel by the enabled one of the plurality of fuel dispensers, effecting with the processor payment for purchase of the dispensed fuel against the previously authorized electronic payment system.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second identification code comprises a fuel dispenser identifier affixed to or displayed on or near the one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from which the user of the mobile electronic device desires to dispense fuel,

and wherein the fuel dispenser identifier is manually entered into the mobile electronic device through user interaction therewith,

and wherein the wirelessly received one or more signals are wirelessly transmitted by the mobile electronic device in response to further user interaction with the mobile electronic device after the fuel identifier is manually entered therein.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the second identification code is contained in one or more signals wirelessly transmitted by a wireless signal broadcasting device co-located at or near the one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from which the user of the mobile electronic device desires to dispense fuel,

wherein the one or more signals wirelessly transmitted by the wireless signal broadcasting device being configured to have a broadcast range large enough to be detectable by the mobile electronic device when the mobile electronic device is at or near the one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from which the user of the mobile electronic device desires to dispense fuel yet small enough so as not to be detectable by mobile electronic devices at or near any of the remaining plurality of fuel dispensers,

and wherein the wirelessly received one or more signals are wirelessly transmitted by the mobile electronic device in response to detection by the mobile electronic device of the one or more signals wirelessly transmitted by the wireless signal broadcasting device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second identification code comprises global positioning system (GPS) coordinates at or near the one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from which the user of the mobile electronic device desires to dispense fuel,

and wherein the mobile electronic device includes a GPS receiver, the mobile electronic device configured to determine GPS coordinates of the mobile communication device based on GPS signals received by the GPS receiver,

and wherein the wirelessly received one or more signals are wirelessly transmitted by the mobile electronic device in response to detection by the mobile electronic device of GPS coordinates thereof being within a geofence defined about a perimeter of at least the one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from which the user of the mobile electronic device desires to dispense fuel.

10. A method of remotely activating any of a plurality of electromechanically controlled fuel dispensers, the method comprising:

with a processor, associating in a first database each of a plurality of fuel dispenser identification codes with a different one of the plurality of fuel dispensers,

with the processor, associating in the first or a second database each of a plurality of customer identification codes with a different one of a corresponding plurality of electronic payment identifiers, each of the plurality of electronic payment identifiers specifying an associated electronic payment system pre-selected for automatic processing of payment for the purchase of fuel during subsequent fuel purchase transactions using any of the plurality of fuel dispensers,

wirelessly receiving by the processor one or more signals wirelessly transmitted by a mobile electronic device, the wirelessly received one or more signals containing a first identification code and a second identification code, the first identification code uniquely associated with at least one of the mobile electronic device and a user of the mobile electronic device and the second identification code uniquely associated with a selected one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from which a user of the mobile electronic device desires to dispense fuel, wherein the one or more wirelessly received signals are transmitted by the mobile electronic device in response to one of

user interaction with the mobile electronic device after the second identification code is manually entered into the mobile electronic device,

detection by the mobile electronic device of one or more signals containing the second identification code and wirelessly transmitted by a wireless signal broadcasting device co-located at or near the one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from which the user of the mobile electronic device desires to dispense fuel, and

detection by the mobile electronic device of the second identification code in the form of global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the mobile electronic device detected by the mobile electronic device, based on GPS signals received by a GPS receiver carried by the mobile electronic device, as being within a geofence defined about a perimeter of at least the one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from which the user of the mobile electronic device desires to dispense fuel,

in response to the wirelessly received one or more signals,

determining with the processor the one of the plurality of customer identification codes in the first or second database that matches the wirelessly received first identification code, and

identifying with the processor the selected one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from which the user of the mobile electronic device desires to dispense fuel by determining with the processor the one of the plurality of fuel dispensers associated in the first database with a fuel dispenser identification code that matches the wirelessly received second identification code,

determining with the processor the one of the plurality of electronic payment identifiers associated in the first or second database with the determined one of the plurality of customer identification codes, and

upon determining that the electronic payment system associated in the first or second database with the determined one of the electronic payment identifiers is authorized for payment against fuel to be dispensed by the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers, controlling the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from a normally inactive state in which it is prevented from dispensing fuel to an active state in which it is enabled to dispense fuel.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of fuel dispensers is configured to dispense any of a plurality of different grades or types of fuel,

and wherein the method further comprises associating, with the processor, in the first or second database a fuel preference identifier with each of the plurality of customer identification codes, each fuel preference identifier identifying a pre-selected one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel to be dispensed by any of the plurality of fuel dispensers during subsequent fuel purchase transactions associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of customer identification codes

and wherein controlling the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from the inactive state to the active state comprises automatically enabling the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers to dispense the one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel identified by the fuel preference identifier associated in the first or second database with the determined one of the plurality of customer identification codes.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of fuel dispensers is configured to dispense any of a plurality of different grades or types of fuel,

and wherein the method further comprises wirelessly receiving by the processor at least one signal wirelessly transmitted by the mobile electronic device, the wirelessly received at least one signal containing a fuel code, specified through user interaction with the mobile electronic device, identifying one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel,

and wherein controlling the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from the inactive state to the active state comprises enabling the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers to dispense the one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel identified by the received fuel code.

13. A system for remotely activating any of a plurality of electromechanically controlled fuel dispensers, the system comprising:

at least one database having stored therein

a plurality of fuel dispenser identification codes each associated with a different one of the plurality of fuel dispensers, and

a plurality of customer identification codes each associated with a different one of a corresponding plurality of electronic payment identifiers, each of the plurality of electronic payment identifiers specifying an associated electronic payment system pre-selected for automatic processing of payment for the purchase of fuel during subsequent fuel purchase transactions using any of the plurality of fuel dispensers,

a processor communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of fuel dispensers, and

a memory having instructions stored therein which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to

wirelessly receive one or more signals wirelessly transmitted by a mobile electronic device, the wirelessly received one or more signals containing a first identification code and a second identification code, the first identification code uniquely associated with at least one of the mobile electronic device and a user of the mobile electronic device and the second identification code uniquely associated with a selected one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from which the user of the mobile electronic device desires to dispense fuel,

determine, in response to the wirelessly received one or more signals, the one of the plurality of customer identification codes in the at least one database that matches the wirelessly received first identification code,

identify, in response to the wirelessly received one or more signals, the selected one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from which the user of the mobile electronic device desires to dispense fuel by determining the one of the plurality of fuel dispensers associated in the at least one database with a fuel dispenser identification code that matches the wirelessly received second identification code,

determine the one of the plurality of electronic payment identifiers associated in the at least one database with the determined one of the plurality of customer identification codes, and

upon determining that the electronic payment system associated in the at least one database with the determined one of the plurality of electronic payment identifiers is authorized for payment against fuel to be dispensed by the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers, automatically controlling the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from a normally inactive state in which it is prevented from dispensing fuel to an active state in which it is enabled to dispense fuel.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the memory further has instructions stored therein which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to

process the electronic payment system associated in the at least one database with the determined one of the electronic payment identifiers for payment authorization,

automatically control the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from the inactive state to the active state upon authorization of the electronic payment system associated in the at least one database with the determined one of the plurality of electronic payment identifiers for payment for the purchase of fuel to be dispensed from the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers, and

following completion of dispensation of fuel by the enabled one of the plurality of fuel dispensers, effect payment for purchase of fuel dispensed from the enabled one of the plurality of fuel dispensers against the previously authorized electronic payment system.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of fuel dispensers is configured to selectively dispense any of a plurality of different grades or types of fuel,

and wherein each of the plurality of customer codes is associated in the at least one database with a corresponding fuel preference identifier, each fuel preference identifier identifying a pre-selected one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel to be dispensed by any of the plurality of fuel dispensers during subsequent fuel purchase transactions associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of customer identification codes

and wherein the instructions stored in the memory further include instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to automatically control the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from the inactive state to the active state by automatically enabling the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers to dispense the one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel identified by the fuel preference identifier associated in the at least one database with the determined one of the plurality of customer identification codes.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of fuel dispensers is configured to selectively dispense any of a plurality of different grades or types of fuel,

and wherein the determined one of the plurality of customer identification codes is associated in the at least one database with two or more motor vehicle identifiers each identifying a different motor vehicle,

and wherein at least one of the two or more motor vehicle identifiers is associated in the at least one database with a first pre-selected one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel for dispensing by any of the plurality of fuel dispensers into the at least one motor vehicle identified by the at least one of the two or more motor vehicle identifiers during subsequent fuel purchase transactions,

and wherein at least another of the two or more motor vehicle identifiers is associated in the at least one database with a second preselected one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel, different from the first one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel, for dispensing by any of the plurality of fuel dispensers into the at least at least one motor vehicle identified by the another of the two or more motor vehicle identifiers during subsequent fuel purchase transactions,

and wherein the instructions stored in the memory further include instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to

wirelessly receive at least one signal wirelessly transmitted by the mobile electronic device, the wirelessly received at least one signal containing a selection of one of the two or more motor vehicle identifiers specified through user interaction with the mobile electronic device, and

automatically control the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from the inactive state to the active state by automatically enabling the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers to

dispense the first one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel if the selected one of the two or more vehicle identifiers is the at least one of the two or more motor vehicle identifiers, and

dispense the second one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel if the selected one of the two or more vehicle identifiers is the at least another of the two or more motor vehicle identifiers.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of fuel dispensers is configured to selectively dispense any of a plurality of different grades or types of fuel,

and wherein the instructions stored in the memory further include instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to

wirelessly receive at least one signal wirelessly transmitted by the mobile electronic device, the wirelessly received at least one signal containing a fuel code, specified through user interaction with the mobile electronic device, identifying one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel, and

automatically control the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from the inactive state to the active state by automatically enabling the determined one of the plurality of fuel dispensers to dispense the one of the plurality of different grades or types of fuel identified by the received fuel code.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of customer codes comprises, or is associated in the at least one database with, a unique security code,

and wherein the wirelessly received one or more signals contains a transmitted security code,

and wherein the instructions stored in the memory further include instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine the one of the plurality of electronic payment identifiers only if the unique security code comprising, or associated in the at least one database with, the determined one of the plurality of customer identification codes matches the transmitted security code.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of fuel dispensers is part of a retail enterprise,

and wherein each of the plurality of customer identification codes is associated in the at least one database with a different one of a plurality of mobile communication devices,

and wherein the determined one of the plurality of customer identification codes comprises, or is associated in the at least one database with, one of a plurality of enterprise membership service identification codes each uniquely identifying a corresponding one of a plurality of customers as a customer member of an enterprise membership service program associated with the retail enterprise,

and wherein the at least one database has stored therein a purchase history containing a record of purchases previously made from the retail enterprise by each of the plurality of customer members of the enterprise membership service program,

and wherein the instructions stored in the memory further include instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

generate or retrieve from the at least one database at least one discount coupon for a product or service from the retail enterprise based on the purchase history of the one of the plurality of customer members of the enterprise membership service program having an enterprise membership service identification code associated in the at least one database with or comprising the determined one of the plurality of customer identification codes, and

wirelessly transmit the at least one discount coupon or notification of the at least one discount coupon to the one of the plurality of mobile communication devices associated in the at least one database with the determined one of the plurality of customer identification codes.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the wirelessly received one or more signals are transmitted by the mobile electronic device in response to one of

user interaction with the mobile electronic device after the second identification code is manually entered into the mobile electronic device,

detection by the mobile electronic device of one or more signals containing the second identification code and wirelessly transmitted by a wireless signal broadcasting device co-located at or near the one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from which the user of the mobile electronic device desires to dispense fuel, and

detection by the mobile electronic device of the second identification code in the form of global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the mobile electronic device detected by the mobile electronic device, based on GPS signals received by a GPS receiver carried by the mobile electronic device, as being within a geofence defined about a perimeter of at least the one of the plurality of fuel dispensers from which the user of the mobile electronic device desires to dispense fuel.