SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING IMPROVED USER EXPERIENCE IN A FUEL DISPENSING ENVIRONMENT

• US 20150106196A1
• Filed: 10/09/2014
• Published: 04/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gilbarco Incorporated (Vontier Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Gilbarco Incorporated (Vontier Corp.)
• Inventors: Williams, Rodger K., Carapelli, Giovanni, Payne, Edward A., Hoffman, Robert P.
• Granted Patent: US 10,332,083 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.51
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/145 Payments according to the detected use or quantity
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/227 characterised in that multiple accounts are available, e.g. to the payer
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/326 Payment applications installed on the mobile devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3274 using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being displayed on the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0253 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery

Abstract

A method of performing a fueling transaction via an application installed on a mobile device, such as a smart phone. One step of the method involves receiving at the mobile device a short range wireless initiation signal directly from a fuel dispenser. The wireless initiation signal contains information indentifying the fuel dispenser. In response to the wireless initiation signal, an application is automatically launched on the mobile device. Input is received into the mobile device from a customer, which is interpreted by the application to correspond to at least one selection made by the customer. Payment information of the customer is transmitted from the mobile device to a remote cloud server so that the transaction can be authorized. As fuel is dispensed from the fuel dispenser, at least one of fueling information and promotional information is received at the mobile device.

Claims

1. A method of operating a mobile device carried by a customer in order to effect a fueling transaction via an application installed on said mobile device, said method comprising steps of:

receiving a short range wireless initiation signal at said mobile device directly from a fuel dispenser, said wireless initiation signal containing information indentifying said fuel dispenser;

in response to said wireless initiation signal, automatically launching said application on said mobile device;

receiving input into said mobile device from said customer, said input being interpreted by said application to correspond to at least one transaction selection made by said customer;

transmitting payment information of said customer from said mobile device to a remote cloud server so that said transaction can be authorized; and

as fuel is dispensed from said fuel dispenser, receiving at said mobile device at least one of fueling information and promotional information.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said short range wireless initiation signal is received in response to an interrogation signal emitted from said wireless device.

3. A method as set forth in claim 2, wherein said short range wireless initiation signal is generated by a passive near-field communication (NFC) transponder associated with said fuel dispenser.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said short range wireless initiation signal is emitted by a short range beacon located at said fuel dispenser.

5. A method as set forth in claim 4, wherein said short range wireless initiation signal is a Bluetooth low-energy signal.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein said mobile device communicates with said fuel dispenser in bidirectional fashion via said beacon.

7. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said application is configured such that communication between said remote cloud server and said mobile device comprises encrypted full duplex communication.

8. A method as set forth in claim 7, wherein said encrypted full duplex communication is websocket communication.

9. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said application allows selection of fuel grade at said mobile device.

10. A method as set forth in claim 9, wherein fuel grade can be selected via near-field communication (NFC) with a respective NFC transponder corresponding to each fuel grade, respectively.

11. A fuel dispensing environment comprising:

at least one fuel dispenser having a passive near-field communication transponder which is operative to emit a wireless initiation signal when interrogated by a mobile device of a customer;

said passive near-field communication transponder having an antenna arrangement and associated circuitry carried by an adhesive backed tag attached to a housing of said fuel dispenser; and

electronics in communication with a cloud server so as to control operation of said fuel dispenser after initiation of a transaction by said mobile device.

12. A fuel dispensing environment as set forth in claim 11, wherein said adhesive backed tag shows branding indicia corresponding to said fuel dispensing environment.

13. A fuel dispensing environment as set forth in claim 11, wherein said at least one fuel dispenser further comprises a plurality of fuel grade select transponders operative to emit a signal when interrogated and which correspond to an associated grade of fuel.

14. A fuel dispensing environment as set forth in claim 13, wherein grade select transponders are affixed to corresponding grade select buttons on said fuel dispenser.

15. A fuel dispensing environment comprising:

at least one fuel dispenser having a short range beacon which is operative to emit a wireless initiation signal when interrogated by a mobile device of a customer, said wireless initiation signal containing information indentifying said fuel dispenser; and

electronics in communication with a cloud server so as to control operation of said fuel dispenser after initiation of a transaction by said mobile device.

16. A fuel dispensing environment as set forth in claim 15, wherein said beacon is operative to emit a Bluetooth low-energy signal as said wireless initiation signal.

17. A fuel dispensing environment as set forth in claim 16, wherein said beacon provides bidirectional communication directly with said mobile device via Bluetooth low energy protocol.

18. A fuel dispenser comprising a housing on which a plurality of grade select transponders are affixed, each of said grade select transponders comprising:

a tag carrying an antenna arrangement and associated circuitry operative to provide a response corresponding to an associated fuel grade upon receipt of an interrogation signal;

said tag being attached to said fuel dispenser by adhesive; and

said tag displaying indicia visually indicating said associated fuel grade.

19. A fuel dispenser as set forth in claim 18, wherein each of said grade select transponders is affixed to an associated fuel grade button of said fuel dispenser.