Security system and method for deterring, preventing, and/or tracking of theft of the use of goods and services, particularly fuel at retail fueling stations
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method of preventing theft of the use of goods or services, particularly fuel dispensed from a fuel dispenser, comprised of providing a security system including a controller, a card reader that is operable to read data stored within an identification card and to report the identification data to the controller. A locking mechanism adapted to restrict access to the goods or services, wherein the locking mechanism is operable by the controller. The locking mechanism is engaged to restrict access to the goods or services until either payment is made, an identification card entered into the card reader, or both, by a user desiring access to the goods or services. The identification data on the card is verified in format and/or authenticity, and if verified, the locking mechanism is unlocked to allow access to the goods or services, such as fuel dispensed from a fuel dispenser.
40 Citations
47 Claims
-
1-2. -2. (canceled)
-
3. A dispensing system that allows a user to dispense fuel to a vehicle in response to verification of identification card data from an identification card, comprising:
-
a) a controller communicatively coupled to a first database and a second database; and
b) a fuel dispenser, comprising;
i) a hose and nozzle that dispenses the fuel to the vehicle;
ii) a card reader coupled to the controller, wherein the card reader is adapted to receive identification card data; and
c) a locking mechanism coupled to the controller, wherein the locking mechanism controls the dispensing of fuel to the hose and nozzle;
d) wherein the controller is adapted to;
i) receive the identification card data from the card reader;
ii) verify the identification card data against the first database;
iii) unlock the locking mechanism to allow dispensing of fuel if the identification card data is verified; and
iv) mark the identification card data in the second database, or generate an alarm, or both, if the user does not successfully pay for the fuel. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
-
29. A method of allowing a user to dispense fuel to a vehicle in response to verification of identification card data from an identification card, comprising the steps of:
-
a) receiving the identification card data from a card reader;
b) verifying the identification card data against a first database;
c) unlocking a locking mechanism that controls the dispensing of fuel to allow dispensing of fuel if the identification card data is verified; and
d) marking the identification card data in a second database, or generating an alarm, or both, if the user does not successfully pay for the fuel. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
-
Specification