MULTIPLEXING SYSTEM FOR A FUEL TRANSACTION ENVIRONMENT

• US 20140074282A1
• Filed: 11/15/2013
• Published: 03/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Progressive International Electronics Inc.
• Original Assignee: Progressive International Electronics Inc.
• Inventors: Barker, Arthur E Jr.
• Application Number:
  US14/080,927
• Publication Number:
  US 20140074282A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/232
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/14 responsive to input of recorded programmed information, e.g. on punched cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system in fuel dispensing control such as gasoline pumps wherein a four wire data system is operated utilizing two wires and a multiplexing system.

Claims

1. A fuel transaction system for enabling the purchase of fuel from a location having a fuel dispensing system, a remote station and two underground communication wires positioned between the remote station to the fuel dispensing system in a current loop comprising:

a) an active multiplexing/demultiplexing unit having active power and two data inputs and two data outputs actively connected to the fuel communication system and a two wire output for connection to an end of the two leading wires;

b) a passive multiplexing/demultiplexing unit having a two wire input for connection to an opposite end of the two communication wires and a four wire data output for connection to the remote station comprising a first and second bidirectional current loop connected to the remote station;

c) wherein the active and passive units are actively connected from the two wire output to the two wire input via the two communication wires; and

d) wherein the system is capable of multiplexing/demultiplexing 4 wire data to and from the fuel dispensing system and the 4 data wire remote station via the two communication wires set up as a current loop.

2. The transaction system according to claim 1 wherein a customer at the fuel dispensing system enters information thereon which is transmitted to the remote station.

3. The transaction system according to claim 1 wherein the fuel dispensing system comprises a customer input device.

4. The transaction system according to claim 1 which includes one or more automated payment mechanisms.

5. The transaction system according to claim 4 wherein the fuel dispensing system includes a credit card reader.

6. The transaction system according to claim 1 wherein there is a central controller communicatively linked to the remote terminal and the fuel dispensing system.

7. The transaction system according to claim 1 wherein the fuel system further comprises purchases other than fuel.

8. The transaction system according to claim 1 wherein there is a computer interface connected to the active multiplexing/demultiplexing unit.