TAMPER PROOF METER
First Claim
1. A method for preventing unauthorized fuel dispenser flow meter replacement, comprising:
- storing a unique identifier associated with the flow meter in a flow meter memory;
storing the unique identifier in a fuel dispenser memory;
prior to performing a fueling transaction, comparing the unique identifiers stored in the flow meter memory and the fuel dispenser memory; and
precluding fuel dispensing in the event that the unique identifiers do not match.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel dispenser with a flow meter prevents fraud in the form of flow meter replacement by storing a unique identifier in the memory associated with the flow meter. The unique identifier is stored in the memory of the fuel dispenser as well. Prior to each fueling transaction, the unique identifiers in the respective memories are compared. In the event that a match is not found, an alarm may be generated. A calibration factor may likewise be stored in both memories and compared concurrently with the unique identifiers. In an alternate embodiment, each element of the flow meter has a unique identifier which is compared prior to a fueling transaction.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for preventing unauthorized fuel dispenser flow meter replacement, comprising:
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storing a unique identifier associated with the flow meter in a flow meter memory;
storing the unique identifier in a fuel dispenser memory;
prior to performing a fueling transaction, comparing the unique identifiers stored in the flow meter memory and the fuel dispenser memory; and
precluding fuel dispensing in the event that the unique identifiers do not match. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A fuel dispenser, comprising:
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a flow meter comprising;
constituent elements; and
flow meter memory having a unique identifier stored therein;
fuel dispenser memory having a second unique identifier stored therein, said second unique identifier corresponding to the unique identifier of the flow meter; and
a controller adapted to compare the unique identifiers in the flow meter memory and the fuel dispenser memory prior to authorizing a fueling transaction. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A site communicator, comprising:
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a remote communication link adapted to report information concerning a fueling environment in which the site communicator is located off site; and
logic adapted to receive a signal from a fuel dispenser indicating that a unique identifier associated with a flow meter has not been matched during a comparing step prior to authorizing a fueling transaction. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification