Distributed data processing system and method for a fluid dispenser

• US 4,360,877 A
• Filed: 04/08/1980
• Issued: 11/23/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tokheim Sas (Cognetas LLP)
• Original Assignee: Tokheim Sas (Cognetas LLP)
• Inventors: Malecki, Richard L., Moore, Charles W., Langston, Earl M., Bruot, Roger C.
• Primary Examiner(s): ATKINSON, CHARLES
• Application Number:
  US06/138,357
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 371/70, 371/69, 364/465, 364/510
• US Class Current: 705/413
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/08 Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred arrangement of flow- or pressure-control valves B67D7/36; computing, calculating, counting G06; coin-freed apparatus for dispensing fluids G07F13/00; prepayment devices for metering liquids G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply

Abstract

A distributed data processing system and method for intertransmission of information signals between a central processor and one or more remote computer controlled terminals which includes inputting information signals to the processor and remote terminals for generation of information data at the processor and remote terminals respectively, addressing each of the remote terminals by generation of unique address data at the processor, directing a function of an addressed remote terminal by generation of identifiable function data at the processor and informing the processor of the status of the addressed remote terminal by generation of identifiable status data at the terminal in response thereto, developing complementary data in conjunction with the generation of address, function, status and information data, transmitting the address, function and status data with the complementary data thereof between the processor and remote terminals, transferring the information data and complementary data thereof between the processor and the selected remote terminal in response to the function data, verifying the address, function, status and information data with the complementary data thereof. Also provided is a system and method for verifying the reception of valid data from a signal transmitter which includes a generating a data signal, developing a complementary signal at the transmitter corresponding to the data signal, transmitting the data and complementary signals to a signal receiver and comparatively relating the data and complementary signals whereby the data signal is disregarded by the signal receiver if not in correspondence with the complementary signal.

Claims

1. In a fuel dispenser system, the combination including

a plurality of fuel dispensers, each of which is operable independently of the other fuel dispensers,

a digital readout means on each dispenser for displaying information relating to dispensed gallonage and the cost thereof,

a plurality of remote terminals, one for each fuel dispenser, controlling its operation and its digital readout means,

a first power supply means operatively connected to each of said remote terminals,

a CPU-console receiving and transmitting digital signals which address and control each of said remote terminals,

a second power supply means for enabling said CPU-console,

each remote terminal being operative in response to digital signals from its fuel dispenser as well as from said CPU-console,

wherein the improvement comprises:

said plurality of remote terminals being located adjacent said CPU-console and remote from said fuel dispensers whereby replacement of said CPU-console and each of said remote terminals may be accomplished without dismantling any of the fuel dispensers, and

each remote terminal having a microcomputer capable of independent processing of dispensed gallonage and cost information of its respective dispenser whereby each remote terminal may operate even when the CPU-console is inoperative.

2. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said remote terminals has unit gallonage price setting switches.

3. The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein the price setting switches are operable only when the CPU-console is inoperative.

4. The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein the digital readout means comprises liquid crystal displays.

5. The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein said CPU-console has a separate address code corresponding to each of said remote terminals for the selective control of each said remote terminals.