METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELLING DISCOUNTED FUEL
First Claim
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1. A method for providing discounted fuel to consumers, the method comprising the steps of:
- issuing a discount fuel card to a consumer who purchases at least a specified amount of non-fuel goods or services;
charging the consumer an amount approximately equal to a fuel value which the consumer wishes to add to the card plus a price of the non-fuel goods or services;
crediting additional value to the fuel card based on an action taken by the consumer to arrive at a total fuel value for the card;
storing an identification number for the card and an indication of the total fuel value of the card in a computer;
permitting the consumer to use the discount fuel card to purchase fuel up to the amount of the total fuel value at a fuel station;
authorizing the fuel station to accept the card;
providing information to the fuel station which instructs the fuel station to sell the fuel to the consumer at a discount price; and
paying the fuel station an amount approximately equal to the discount price.
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Abstract
A system and method for selling discounted fuel which takes advantage of the efficiencies, lower transactional costs, and other savings of grocery stores and similar businesses to provide discounts at conventional fuel stations. The method is implemented by a grocery store or other business; a host computer system; one or more participating fuel stations; and a communications network for providing communications between the host computer system, the business, and the fuel station.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for providing discounted fuel to consumers, the method comprising the steps of:
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issuing a discount fuel card to a consumer who purchases at least a specified amount of non-fuel goods or services; charging the consumer an amount approximately equal to a fuel value which the consumer wishes to add to the card plus a price of the non-fuel goods or services; crediting additional value to the fuel card based on an action taken by the consumer to arrive at a total fuel value for the card; storing an identification number for the card and an indication of the total fuel value of the card in a computer; permitting the consumer to use the discount fuel card to purchase fuel up to the amount of the total fuel value at a fuel station; authorizing the fuel station to accept the card; providing information to the fuel station which instructs the fuel station to sell the fuel to the consumer at a discount price; and paying the fuel station an amount approximately equal to the discount price. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for selling discounted fuel, the system comprising:
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point-of-sale equipment for issuing a discount fuel card and operable to associate the card with an identification number and an indication of a total fuel value which consists of a fuel value purchased by a consumer and an additional value based on an action taken by the consumer; a computer in communication with the point-of-sale equipment for storing the identification number and the indication of the total fuel value; and a computing device at a fuel station which is in communication with the computer, the computing device being operable to receive the fuel card and direct a fuel pump to dispense discounted fuel which is below a price posted at the fuel pump. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification