Automated filling station with change dispenser
First Claim
1. A method for use in operating at least one filling station, comprising the steps of:
- providing at least one pump system for dispensing fuel, said pump system including a payment processor for receiving payments from customers and controlling operation of said pump system in response to said payments;
receiving a payment amount from a customer at said pump system;
first operating said payment processor to monitor a fueling process by said customer so as to identify a completion of said fueling process and determine an amount due associated with said fueling process;
second operating said payment processor to compare said payment amount to said amount due to determine any balance due to said customer in connection with said fueling process and associate a code with said balance;
providing a change dispenser system for dispensing change to customers in currency, said change dispenser including a code processor for receiving codes and controlling operation of said change dispenser in response to said codes;
receiving said code at said change dispenser system;
employing said code processor to determine said balance due to said customer based on said received code; and
dispensing said balance to said customer in currency based on said balance as determined by said code processor.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The automated filling station system of the present invention allows customers to obtain change in currency at the time of purchase, thereby accommodating cash customers as well as credit customers, and one-time customers as well as returning customers. In one embodiment, the system is implemented as a network (10) of filling stations (16) that report to a remote host computer (12). Each filling station (16) has a number of fuel pump systems (22) and a change dispenser system (24). Upon completion of a fueling transaction, a code is provided to a customer at a fuel pump system (22). The customer can enter the code to receive cash at the change dispenser (24) or can use the code for credit towards a subsequent fuel purchase within the network (10).
96 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for use in operating at least one filling station, comprising the steps of:
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providing at least one pump system for dispensing fuel, said pump system including a payment processor for receiving payments from customers and controlling operation of said pump system in response to said payments; receiving a payment amount from a customer at said pump system; first operating said payment processor to monitor a fueling process by said customer so as to identify a completion of said fueling process and determine an amount due associated with said fueling process; second operating said payment processor to compare said payment amount to said amount due to determine any balance due to said customer in connection with said fueling process and associate a code with said balance; providing a change dispenser system for dispensing change to customers in currency, said change dispenser including a code processor for receiving codes and controlling operation of said change dispenser in response to said codes; receiving said code at said change dispenser system; employing said code processor to determine said balance due to said customer based on said received code; and dispensing said balance to said customer in currency based on said balance as determined by said code processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for use in operating a filling station, comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of pump systems for pumping fuel, each of said pump systems capable of providing balance codes to customers reflecting balances due to said customers in connection with fueling transactions; providing a change dispenser system capable of receiving said balance codes and issuing change in currency; interconnecting each of said plurality of pump systems to said change dispenser system such that said change dispenser system can provide change in currency with respect to particular fueling transactions at any of plurality of pump systems. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for use in operating a filling station having at least one fuel pump comprising:
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first means, associated with said pump, for receiving payment from a customer; second means, associated with said pump, for comparing a transaction amount associated with a fueling process by said customer to said payment amount in order to determine a balance due to said customer; third means, associated with said second means, for receiving said balance and dispensing change in currency to said customer and means for associating a code with said determined balance. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification