Fuel dispensing and retail system providing a transaction discount for transponder use

• US 20020046117A1
• Filed: 09/14/2001
• Published: 04/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gilbarco Incorporated (Vontier Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Gilbarco Incorporated (Vontier Corp.)
• Inventors: Marion, Kenneth O.
• Application Number:
  US09/952,814
• Publication Number:
  US 20020046117A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/067 using communication means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/08 Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred arrangement of flow- or pressure-control valves B67D7/36; computing, calculating, counting G06; coin-freed apparatus for dispensing fluids G07F13/00; prepayment devices for metering liquids G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/145 by wireless communication means, e.g. RF, transponders or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/343 Cards including a counter
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/346 Cards serving only as information carrier of service
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 wherein the data carrier is removable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

The present invention provides a fuel dispensing system for discounting a transaction associated with a remote communications unit. The system includes communication electronics for communicating with a remote communications unit, a fuel dispenser with a customer interface, and a control system associated with the communication electronics and the fuel dispenser. The control system is adapted to communicate with the remote communications unit through the communication electronics and provide a discount for the transaction if a remote communications unit is associated with the transaction. The discount may be for an overall transaction or for a predefined product or service purchased in the transaction. In certain situations, the discount may be a reduction in price per unit volume fuel or any other product purchased through the customer interface. The control system may provide a discount if the remote communications unit associated with the transaction is present and the transaction is a non-cash transaction. Preferably, there is in an input indicative of a non-cash transaction for signaling the control system.

Claims

1. A fuel dispensing system for discounting a transaction associated with a remote communication unit comprising:

a. communication electronics for communicating with a remote communications unit;

b. a fuel dispenser having a customer interface; and

c. a control system associated with said communication electronics and said fuel dispenser; and

d. said control system adapted to communicate with said remote communication unit through said communication electronics and provide a discount for the transaction if a remote communication unit is associated with the transaction.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said discount is predefined.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said discount is for a predefined product or service purchased in the transaction.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said discount is a reduction in the price per unit volume of fuel.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said control system interrogates the remote communication unit associated with the transaction and provides said discount upon receiving a response from the remote communication unit.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said control system does not provide said discount when a remote communications unit is not associated with the transaction.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said control system provides said discount if the remote communication unit associated with the transaction is present and said transaction is a non-cash transaction.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising an input indicative of a noncash transaction.

9. A method of providing a discount for transponder use in a fueling environment comprising:

a. interrogating a transponder during a transaction at a fuel dispenser;

b. receiving indicia from a transponder associated with the transaction;

c. providing a discount for a product or service of the transaction ordered at the dispenser when the transponder is associated with the transaction.

10. The method of claim 9 further including the step of determining the means of payment is not cash and wherein the providing step provides the discount when the remote communication unit is associated with the transaction and the means of payment is not cash.