Computer controlled bulk storage fluid dispensing terminal

• US 4,072,929 A
• Filed: 02/23/1976
• Issued: 02/07/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wolfe; George Edwin
• Original Assignee: Wolfe; George Edwin
• Inventors: Garmong, Victor H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pitts, Harold I.
• Application Number:
  US05/660,361
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 340/147 A, 340/149 A, 235/61.7 B
• US Class Current: 340/5.54
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/228 using digital counting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/025 by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered

Abstract

A computer controlled bulk storage fluid dispensing terminal for dispensing fluid, such as flammable fuels, to customer vehicles from a plurality of adjacent loading stations without the requirement of a full time attendant. A multiple digit input data entry terminal is positioned at each of the stations and is electrically connected to a central computer for coded customer identification data entry into the computer by hand manipulation by the driver of the multiple digit input. When the customer has been recognized by the computer as authorized, an indication is given that he may proceed to fill the vehicle. The computer regulates the allocation of quantity and type of fluid to be dispensed to the particular customer, monitoring the entire dispensing operation. The computer prints out fluid dispensing information on a teletype or any other type of line printer. The computer is confined within a secured area and provided with a coded multiple digit input limited access whereby the data with which the computer program works may be changed, but the program itself will not be altered by attendants unskilled in the computer arts. The entire fluid dispensing terminal may also be surrounded by a security fence having a gate access. A multiple digit input data entry terminal is provided at the gate whereby the driver, by hand selection of the multiple digit input, can enter a coded identification for recognition by the computer and subsequent access through the gate.

Claims

1. A computer controlled bulk storage fluid dispensing terminal comprising at least one vehicle fluid loading station, an electronic computer housed within a secured area and having memory means programmed to permit dispensing of allocated types and quantities of fluid to authorized customers, multiple digit input data entry means positioned at each of said at least one loading station and connected to said computer for coded customer identification data entry by hand manipulation of the multiple digit input, indication means connected to said computer to indicate to the operator upon command from said computer that he has been recognized by said computer as an authorized customer and permit him to proceed to fill a vehicle with an allocated quantity and type of fluid at the selected station, means at each of said at least one station and connected to said computer to pump the selected quantity of the allocated amount and type of fluid from a bulk storage into a vehicle at the selected station only after said indication means indicates valid customer recognition by said computer, printout means connected to said computer to automatically print out fluid dispensing information after completion of the dispensing operation, and including command control means housed within said secured area and connected to said computer for data entry, said command control means including a hand manipulated multiple digit input for entry into said computer of a multiple digit code to bring into function a corresponding question and answer computer programming routine on said printout means to change the data with which the basic program of said computer works while preventing the capability of changing the basic program itself.

2. The fluid dispensing terminal of claim 1 including security fence means surrounding said at least one loading station, a gate in said fence means to permit passage of vehicles for loading and departure, multiple digit input security code gate entrance means positioned outside of said gate and connected to said computer, said gate entry means having a hand selection multiple digit input for entry of a multiple digit customer validity code into said computer for recognition, and means to permit said gate to be opened for vehicle entry after validity recognition by said computer.

3. The fluid dispensing terminal of claim 1 including set stop means positioned at each of said at least one loading station and connected to said computer for selection and loading control of the desired fluid quantity of the allocated amount and data entry thereof into the computer by hand selection on a multiple digit input on said set stop means.

4. The fluid dispensing terminal of claim 1 including computer bypass switch means housed in said secured area and electrically connected to said computer to manually switch the control of the terminal by said computer off and on as desired.

5. The fluid dispensing terminal of claim 1, said means to pump including a flow monitor connected to said computer which monitors the quantity of fluid being pumped to the vehicle and sends a corresponding signal to said computer and means to automatically stop the pumping operation when said computer determines the quantity allocation has been obtained.

6. The fluid dispensing terminal of claim 3 wherein said data entry means and set stop means regulate the dispensing of fluid through a vehicle bottom load hookup, second multiple digit input data entry means positioned at each of said at least one loading station and electrically connected to said computer for coded customer identification data entry by hand manipulation of the multiple digit input for regulation of fluid dispensing through a vehicle top load connection, second indication means electrically connected to said computer to indicate to the operator upon command from said computer that he has been recognized by said computer as an authorized customer and permit him to proceed to top fill a vehicle with an allocated quantity and type of fluid at the selected station, and second means at each of said at least one station electrically connected to said computer to pump a desired quantity of the allocated amount and type of fluid from a bulk storage into the top of a vehicle at the selected station only after said second indication means indicates valid customer recognition by said computer.

7. A computer controlled bulk storage fluid dispensing terminal comprising at least one vehicle fluid loading station, an electronic computer housed within a secured area and having memory means programmed to permit dispensing of allocated types and quantities of fluid to authorized customers, multiple digit input data entry means positioned at each of said at least one loading station and connected to said computer for coded customer identification data entry by hand manipulation of the multiple digit input, indication means connected to said computer to indicate to the operator upon command from said computer that he has been recognized by said computer as an authorized customer and permit him to proceed to fill a vehicle with an allocated quantity and type of fluid at the selected station, means at each of said at least one station and connected to said computer to pump the selected quantity of the allocated amount and type of fluid from a bulk storage into a vehicle at the selected station only after said indication means indicates valid customer recognition by said computer, printout means connected to said computer to automatically print out fluid dispensing information after completion of the dispensing operation, security fence means surrounding said at least one loading station, a gate in said fence means to permit passage of vehicles for loading and departure, multiple digit input security code gate entrance means positioned outside of said gate and connected to said computer, said gate entry means having a hand selection multiple digit input for entry of a multiple digit customer validity code into said computer for recognition, and means to permit said gate to be opened for vehicle entry after validity recognition by said computer.