Hands-free telephone in dispenser

• US 20030190907A1
• Filed: 04/09/2002
• Published: 10/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dresser Incorporated (Nagano Keiki Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Dresser Incorporated (Nagano Keiki Company Limited)
• Inventors: Smith, Ervin M.
• Application Number:
  US10/119,259
• Publication Number:
  US 20030190907A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/405
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for a hands-free communication system for a fuel dispenser connected to a telephony network. The user of the fuel dispenser inputs a telephone number to be dialed and the communication system connects to the telephony network to complete the telephone call. A speaker and microphone are provided so that the user of the fuel dispenser can communicate with the person or place corresponding to the connection by the telephony network.

Claims

1. A hands-free communication system for a fuel dispenser connected to a telephony network, said system comprising:

a fuel dispenser;

a speaker connected to said fuel dispenser;

a microphone connected to said fuel dispenser;

a payment means connected to said fuel dispenser for receiving a payment from a user of said communication system;

an inputting means connected to said fuel dispenser for inputting a telephone number; and

a communication means connected to said fuel dispenser for creating a connection to a telephony network, said communication means connecting together said speaker, said microphone and said inputting means with the telephony network.

2. The communication system in claim 1, wherein said inputting means is a keypad.

3. The communication system in claim 1, wherein said inputting means is a touchscreen.

4. The communication system in claim 1, wherein said inputting means is a voice activated.

5. The communication system in claim 1, wherein the payment by the user is completed utilizing a credit card.

6. The communication system in claim 1, wherein the payment by the user is completed utilizing a telephone card.

7. The communication system in claim 1, wherein the payment by the user is completed utilizing cash.

8. The communication system in claim 1, wherein said communication means is a dedicated telephone line.

9. The communication system in claim 1, wherein said communication means is a network connection.

10. The communication system in claim 9, wherein said network connection is the internet.

11. A hands-free communication system for a fuel dispenser connected to a telephony network, said system comprising:

a fuel dispenser;

a speaker connected to said fuel dispenser;

a microphone connected to said fuel dispenser;

an inputting means connected to said fuel dispenser for inputting a telephone number; and

a communication means connected to said fuel dispenser for creating a connection to a telephony network, said communication means connecting together said speaker, said inputting means and said microphone with the telephony network.

12. The communication system in claim 11, further comprising a payment means connected to said fuel dispenser for receiving payment from a user of said fuel dispenser.

13. The communication system in claim 11, wherein said inputting means is a keypad.

14. The communication system in claim 11, wherein said inputting means is a touch screen.

15. The communication system in claim 11, wherein said inputting means is voice activated.

16. The communication system in claim 12, wherein the payment by the user is completed utilizing a credit card.

17. The communication system in claim 12, wherein the payment by the user is completed utilizing a telephone card.

18. The communication system in claim 12, wherein the payment by the user is completed utilizing cash.

19. The communication system in claim 11, wherein said communication means is a network connection.

20. The communication system in claim 19, wherein said network connection is the internet.

21. The communication system in claim 11, wherein said communication means is a dedicated telephone line.

22. A hands-free communication system for a fuel dispenser connected to a telephony network, said system comprising:

a fuel dispenser;

a speaker connected to said fuel dispenser;

a microphone connected to said fuel dispenser; and

a communication means connected to said fuel dispenser for creating a connection to a telephony network, said communication means connecting together said speaker and said microphone with the telephony network.

23. The communication system in claim 22, further comprising a payment means connected to said fuel dispenser for receiving payment from a user of said fuel dispenser.

24. The communication system in claim 22, further comprising a inputting means connected to said fuel dispenser for inputting a telephone number.

25. The communication system in claim 24, wherein said inputting means is a keypad.

26. The communication system in claim 24, wherein said inputting means is a touchscreen.

27. The communication system in claim 24, wherein said inputting means is voice activated.

28. The communication system in claim 23, wherein the payment by the user is completed utilizing a credit card.

29. The communication system in claim 23, wherein the payment by the user is completed utilizing a telephone card.

30. The communication system in claim 23, wherein the payment by the user is completed utilizing cash.

31. The communication system in claim 22, wherein said communication means is a network connection.

32. The communication system in claim 31, wherein said network connection is the internet.

33. The communication system in claim 22, wherein said communication means is a dedicated telephone line.

34. A hands-free communication system for a fuel dispenser connected to a telephony network, said system comprising:

a fuel dispenser;

a duplex means connected to said fuel dispenser for 5 generating and amplifying sound; and

a communication means connected to said fuel dispenser for creating a connection to a telephony network, said communication means connecting together said duplex means with the telephony network.

35. The communication system in claim 34, further comprising a payment means connected to said fuel dispenser for receiving payment from a user of said fuel dispenser.

36. The communication system in claim 34, further comprising a inputting means connected to said fuel dispenser for inputting a telephone number.

37. The communication system in claim 34, wherein said duplex means is full duplex.

38. The communication system in claim 34, wherein said duplex means is half duplex.

39. The communication system in claim 34, wherein said communication system is activated when said fuel dispenser is activated.

40. The communication system in claim 36, wherein said inputting means is a keypad.

41. The communication system in claim 36, wherein said inputting means is a touchscreen.

42. The communication system in claim 36, wherein said inputting means is voice activated.

43. The communication system in claim 35, wherein the payment by the user is completed utilizing a credit card.

44. The communication system in claim 35, wherein the payment by the user is completed utilizing a telephone card.

45. The communication system in claim 35, wherein the payment by the user is completed utilizing cash.

46. The communication system in claim 34, wherein said communication means is a network connection.

47. The communication system in claim 46, wherein said network connection is the internet.

48. The communication system in claim 34, wherein said communication means is a dedicated telephone line.

49. A method of hands-free communication for a fuel dispenser for connecting to a telephony network, said method comprising:

detecting the use of said fuel dispenser;

inputting the telephone number to be dialed; and

activating a telephone connection to a telephony network.