Fuel dispenser controller with data packet transfer command

• US 5,790,410 A
• Filed: 12/12/1996
• Issued: 08/04/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Progressive International'L Electronics
• Original Assignee: Progressive International Electronics Inc.
• Inventors: Warn, Walter E., Carr, Fred K.
• Primary Examiner(s): PITTS, HAROLD I
• Application Number:
  US08/764,296
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 235/381, 364/479.02, 369/500, 380/52
• US Class Current: 700/232
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Abstract

A fuel dispenser-credit card reader control system for controlling the fuel dispensing process and accepting payment for the fuel dispensed through a card reader is disclosed. The dispenser controller has a microprocessor with read-only-memory for storing operating routines and command code and read-and-write-memory for storing responses. Configuration circuits translate the communication language of the dispenser controller into a communication protocol readable by the dispensers such that the dispensing process of various dispenser brands can be controlled and payment for the fuel accepted. A feature of the disclosure is that the controller includes a command for transmitting an encrypted PIN number data block from the card reader to a site controller without analyzing the data, manipulating the data, or permanently storing the data.

Claims

1. A fuel dispenser control system for controlling at least one fuel dispenser having a pump means with a first microprocessor with programmable memory device for dispensing fuel and an in-dispenser-card-reader means with a second microprocessor with programmable memory device for accepting payment for fuel dispensed, used in combination with a computer means having a third microprocessor with programmable memory device for serving as a site controller for the fuel dispensing process, comprising:

(a) a fuel dispenser control means including a printed circuit board with a fuel dispenser control processor including a read-only-memory device for storing a series of commands to control said fuel dispenser during the fueling process and a read-and-write-memory device for storing responses from said dispenser during the fueling process, operatively connected to said first and second microprocessors in said dispenser and to said third microprocessor in said computer means, for

(1) reading said second microprocessor in said in-dispenser-card-reader to determine the presence of a customer at said dispenser and how said customer intends to pay for dispensed fuel;

(2) requesting that said customer enter a PIN number into a keypad on said in-dispenser-card-reader and transmitting to said computer means encrypted PIN number block after it has been encrypted by said keypad;

(3) retrieving said commands from said read-only-memory device in a predetermined sequence and outputting said commands in a readable format to said first microprocessor in said dispenser causing said dispenser to dispense fuel;

(4) receiving response data from said first microprocessor during the fueling process and storing said response data in said read-and-write-memory device;

(5) processing and outputting said response data to said third microprocessor in said computer means through a driver interface program to control the flow of data between the two;

(b) a first configuration means functionally connected between said dispenser control processor and said first microprocessor in said dispenser for translating the communication protocols of the two wherein said commands are readable by said first microprocessor and said responses are readable by said dispenser control processor; and

(c) a second configuration means functionally connected between said dispenser control processor and said second microprocessor in said dispenser for translating the communication protocols of the two wherein said commands are readable by said second microprocessor and said responses are readable by said dispenser control processor.

2. A method for controlling the fuel dispensing process by a fuel pump-card reader control system including a first microprocessor with read-only-memory for storing control commands and read-and-write-memory for storing responses to said commands, functionally connected to at least one fuel dispenser having a second microprocessor with programmable memory device for dispensing fuel and a third microprocessor with programmable memory device for controlling a credit card reader, and further functionally connected to a computer means having a forth microprocessor with programmable memory device and application program for performing cash register function, where said fuel pump-card reader control system utilizes a fuel pump configuration means to configure commands to and responses from said second microprocessor and a card reader configuration means to configure commands to and responses from said third microprocessor, comprising the steps of:

(a) setting the price per unit of the fuel to be dispensed by said dispenser by sending a command configured by said fuel pump configuration means including command code, fueling position, hose number, read or write operation flag, and unit price, whereas with a write operation flag the price is stored in said memory of said dispenser, with a read operation flag said dispenser responds back to said first microprocessor with response configured by said fuel pump configuration means indicating fueling position, hose number, and unit price stored;

(b) reading a key queue in said card reader by sending a read command configured by said card reader configuration means including read code which is followed by a response format including reader number and key code;

(c) reading a card queue in said card reader by sending a read command configured by said card reader configuration means including read code which is followed by a response configured by said card reader configuration means including reader number and credit card data;

(d) requesting that a PIN number be entered into a keypad on said card reader and transmitting the encrypted PIN number data block after it has been encrypted by said keypad by sending a command configured by said card reader configuration means including command code, reader number, data character count, and transfer data characters;

(e) starting the dispensing process by an authorization command configured by said fuel pump configuration means including command code, fueling position, hose number, and limit amount of fuel to be dispensed;

(f) polling the status of said dispenser by a status request command configured by said fuel pump configuration means including command code, fueling position and hose number, whereafter said dispenser responds with status indicator response configured by said fuel pump configuration means including hose is dispensing fuel, hose is idle, pump handle has been lifted and service is requested at hose; and

(g) reading sales information by a sales information command configured by said fuel pump configuration means including command code, fueling position, hose number, and operational flag, whereas with a read operation flag said dispenser responds to said first microprocessor with response configured by said pump configuration means including pump number, hose number, and amount of fuel dispensed, or with a clear operation flag thereby the sale flag is cleared.