Audio and audio/video operator intercom for a fuel dispenser

• US 6,032,126 A
• Filed: 02/10/1998
• Issued: 02/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gilbarco Incorporated (Vontier Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Gilbarco Incorporated (Vontier Corp.)
• Inventors: Kaehler, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MacDonald, Allen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kanof, Pedro R.
• Application Number:
  US09/021,616
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 705/16, 705/21, 705/22, 705/24, 364/479.01, 186/36, 340/149, 358/93, 455/53.1, 455/66, 379/53
• US Class Current: 705/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/209 Specified transaction journal output feature, e.g. printed receipt or voice output
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10

Abstract

An apparatus for installation in a retail setting for selling fuel and other products ordered by a customer interacting with an operator. A video control system interfaces an external audio/video signal source with an audio/video signal source from an other product ordering apparatus operator. The external audio/video source transmits advertising and promotional materials to a video display located on a card reader equipped fuel dispenser. Additionally, customers can signal and communicate through audio/video signals with the operator to order other merchandise. Total transaction costs for fuel and non-fuel products is provided and paid for at the fuel dispenser.

Claims

1. An apparatus for installation in a retail setting for selling fuel and other non-fuel products ordered by a customer interacting with an operator, comprising:

a. a fuel dispenser housing including;

i. fuel dispensing and measuring apparatus,

ii. a video display for displaying information to the customer,

iii. a first microphone to capture the voice of the customer,

iv. a first speaker to reproduce the voice of the operator, and

v. a signalling device actuable to permit the customer to signal to the operator that the customer wishes to place an order for other products,

b. other product ordering apparatus including;

i. a data terminal for receiving operator-keyed data about other products ordered by a customer,

ii. a second microphone to be positioned to capture the voice of the operator during a transaction and linked to the first speaker in the fuel dispenser,

iii. a second speaker linked to the first microphone in the fuel dispenser to reproduce the voice of the customer during a transaction, and

iv. an indicator linked to the signalling device to indicate to the operator that the customer wishes to order other products, and

c. a controller linked to the fuel dispenser and to the other product ordering apparatus to receive line item order information concerning each of the other products ordered by the customer from the data terminal and communicate received order information to said fuel dispenser for display of data about each line item ordered on said video display so that the customer may pay for other products as well as dispensed fuel, whereby the customer is shown a preliminary receipt on the video display of each item ordered.

2. An improved order entry system for a fueling environment comprising:

a) an intercom system having switching circuitry providing selectable audio communications between a non-fueling order entry terminal and a selected one of a plurality of fuel dispensers;

b) each said dispenser having;

i) a display;

ii) an order request actuator for alerting an operator that a customer wants to orally place a non-fueling product order;

iii) a payment acceptor for receiving customer account information, and

iv) a dispenser control system associated with said payment acceptor and a remote authorization network and adapted to authorize and facilitate payment of both fuel and non-fueling product orders using the customer account information;

c) said non-fueling order entry terminal having;

i) an order entry input;

ii) an order request alarm operatively associated with said order request actuator of each said dispenser and adapted to indicate which said order request actuator was actuated by the customer;

iii) a dispenser selector operatively associated with said switching circuitry of said intercom to allow the operator to select an intercom connection between the operator and said dispenser associated with said actuated order request actuator; and

iv) an order entry control system operatively associated with said order entry input and adapted to receive order information entered by the operator during placement of a non-fueling order; and

d) a central control system adapted to receive the order information from said order entry control system and transmit the order information to said dispenser control system;

e) said dispenser control system adapted to;

i) calculate a fueling transaction total from a fueling operation;

ii) receive the order information from the central control system;

iii) calculate an overall transaction total from the fueling transaction total and the order information; and

iv) transmit the overall transaction total to the remote authorization network to effect payment.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said order information includes a non-fueling transaction total and said order entry control system is adapted to generate the non-fueling transaction total based on the customer order.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said order information includes line item information of order entries and the non-fueling transaction total.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein said intercom system provides video of the operator to said display of said selected display, said dispenser control system adapted to provide video to said display from a camera at said order entry terminal and pointed at the operator.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said order entry control system includes graphic generation and video mixing circuitry to generate a video image of said order information and mix said video image onto the video of the operator, said mixed video being delivered to said display of said selected dispenser for customer viewing.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said order information includes a non-fueling transaction total and said order entry control system is adapted to generate the non-fueling transaction total based on the customer order.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said order information includes line item information of order entries and the non-fueling transaction total to provide a video receipt of the non-fueling order.

9. The system of claim 2 wherein said dispenser control system is further adapted to display an overall transaction total on said display to provide a video receipt.

10. The system of claim 2 wherein said dispenser control system includes graphic generation circuitry and is further adapted to:

a) receive the order information from said order entry control system via said central control system;

b) generate a video graphic representation of the order information; and

c) effect display of said video graphic representation on said display.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said intercom system provides video of the operator to said display of said selected dispenser, said dispenser control system further including video mixing circuitry and adapted to provide operator video to said display from a camera at said order entry terminal and mix said video graphic representation of the order information with said video.

12. The system of claim 10 further including a video source providing video to said display of said selected dispenser, said dispenser control system further including video mixing circuitry adapted to mix said video graphic representation of the order information with said video for display to the customer.

13. An order entry system for a fueling environment comprising:

a) an audio intercom providing bi-directional audio between an operator terminal and a selected one of a plurality of fuel dispensers;

b) said operator terminal having;

i) a customer assistance indicator to alert an operator when a customer makes a request to place a non-fuel order using said audio intercom;

ii) a fuel dispenser selector associated with said audio intercom and adapted to effect an intercom connection between a selected said dispenser and said operator intercom; and

iii) an order entry input allowing an operator to enter a customer'"'"'s order received via said audio intercom;

c) said dispensers having;

i) a fuel delivery system;

ii) a customer interface including an input, display and payment acceptor, said customer interface adapted to facilitate independent completion and payment at said dispenser for a fueling transaction without operator assistance when non-fuel products are not ordered; and

iii) a customer input actuator to request operator entry of a non-fuel product order, said actuator operatively associated with said customer assistance indicator;

d) a control system associated with said dispenser and said operator terminal,

i) when non-fuel products are not ordered, said control system is adapted to provide and display at said dispenser display a video receipt of transaction totals for a fueling transaction, and

ii) when non-fuel products are ordered via said audio intercom, said control system is adapted to;

a) receive a customer'"'"'s non-fuel product order as entered at said operator terminal'"'"'s order entry input;

b) determine non-fuel product order transaction totals; and

c) display on said dispenser'"'"'s display a video receipt of transaction totals from a fueling operation at said dispenser and non-fuel products entered by an operator at said operator terminal;

e) wherein when a customer makes a request to orally place a non-fuel order via said customer input actuator, the customer assistance indicator alerts the operator that a customer at a select dispenser wants to place an order and the operator selects the select dispenser and enters the customer order taken over the audio intercom.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said control system is further adapted to combine and display said transaction totals from the fueling operation and the non-fuel products order when non-fuel products are ordered via said audio intercom.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein said control system is associated with said payment acceptor and adapted to facilitate payment at the dispenser based on the transaction totals.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein said display is adapted to receive video signals for display from an auxiliary source, said control system adapted to mix said video receipt with said video signals to provide an integrated video and video receipt display to the customer.

17. An order entry system for a fueling environment comprising:

a) an audio intercom providing bi-directional audio between an operator terminal and a selected one of a plurality of fuel dispensers;

b) said operator terminal having;

i) a customer assistance indicator to alert an operator when a customer makes a request to place a non-fuel order using said audio intercom;

ii) a fuel dispenser selector and switching circuitry associated with said audio intercom and adapted to effect an intercom connection between a selected said dispenser and said operator intercom;

iii) an order entry input allowing an operator to enter a customer'"'"'s order received via said audio intercom; and

iv) an operator control system adapted to receive order information from said order entry input;

c) said dispenser having;

i) a fuel delivery system;

ii) a customer interface including an input, display and payment acceptor, said customer interface adapted to facilitate independent completion and payment at said dispenser for a fueling transaction without operator assistance when non-fuel products are not ordered;

iii) a customer input actuator to request operator entry of a non-fuel product order, said actuator operatively associated with said customer assistance indicator; and

iv) a dispenser control system adapted to control said customer interface;

d) a central control system operatively associated with said dispenser control system and said operator control system;

e) when non-fuel products are ordered via said audio intercom,

i) said operator control system is adapted to receive a customer'"'"'s non-fuel product order as entered at said operator terminal'"'"'s order entry input and transmit non-fuel product order information to the central control system;

ii) said central control system is adapted to send the non-fuel product order information to said dispenser control system;

iii) said dispenser control system is adapted to;

a) combine the non-fuel product information with fueling information and create a local transaction record of transaction totals, and

b) display on said dispenser'"'"'s display a video receipt of transaction totals from a fueling operation at said dispenser and non-fuel products entered by an operator at said operator terminal;

f) wherein when a customer makes a request to orally place a non-fuel order via said customer input actuator, the customer assistance indicator alerts the operator that a customer at a select dispenser wants to place an order and the operator selects the select dispenser and enters the customer order taken over the audio intercom.

18. An apparatus for installation in a retail setting for selling fuel and other products ordered by a customer interacting with an operator, comprising:

a. at least two fuel positions for dispensing fuel, each said position having;

i. a video display for displaying information to the customer;

ii. a first microphone to capture the voice of the customer;

iii. a first speaker to reproduce the voice of the operator;

iv. a signaling device actuable to permit the customer to signal to the operator that the customer wishes to place an order for fast food items by interfacing with an operator;

v. a payment receiver for receiving payment from the customer, and

vi. a menu for displaying fast food items to customers;

vii. each said position configured to provide a complete fuel transaction at said position without operator intervention when fast food items are not ordered;

b. a fast food ordering apparatus located apart from said fueling positions at an operators'"'"' work station including;

i. an order-entry data terminal for receiving operator-keyed data about products ordered by a customer from any one of said positions of said fuel dispenser;

ii. a control system including switching circuitry having a first input, said control system further including a digital logic dependent output adapted for carrying the chosen signal to a selected position of said fuel dispenser, an operator selection device having input adapted for outputting a selection signal to trigger which said fueling position will receive audio signals from said fast food ordering apparatus, and logic circuitry connected to said switching circuitry to ensure only one of said video displays, located at one said position, is served by the audio signals of said fast food ordering apparatus at one time;

iii. a second microphone positioned to capture the voice of the operator during a transaction and connected to said video control system at said first input;

iv. a second speaker connected to said first microphone in said fuel dispenser to reproduce the voice of the customer during a transaction; and

v. an indicator at said operator'"'"'s workstation adapted for receiving the signal from said signaling device at fueling position and for identifying from which fueling position the signal originates;

c. a fuel dispensing and payment receiving processing site controller linked to said fueling positions and to said fast food ordering apparatus to receive cost information, said fuel dispensing and payment receiving processing site controller adapted to receive cost information concerning the products ordered by the customer, including total sale cost information, to said fueling position for display on said video display so that the customer may pay for the products and fuel in the same transaction through said payment receiver; and

d. wherein each said fueling position is configured to provide audio of the operator to place a fast food item order when said signaling device is activated in addition to carrying out a fueling transaction.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said site controller computes a running total of line items as they are ordered and transmits the total to the appropriate video display for display with the line items.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said fuel dispenser housing includes a computation device that computes a running total of the line items as they are ordered and transmits the total to the appropriate video display for display with the line items.

21. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said video switching circuitry includes a second input for video and is adapted to carry video signals to the display of said selected position of said fuel dispenser and said fast food ordering apparatus includes a camera at said data terminal and connected to said switching circuitry at said second input.

22. A method of arranging for sale and payment for fuel and fast food products in a single transaction, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a fuel dispenser housing having fuel dispensing and measuring apparatus, a video display for displaying information to the customer, a first microphone to capture the voice of the customer, a first speaker to reproduce the voice of the operator when fast food ordering is initiated, a signalling device actuable to permit the customer to signal to the operator that the customer wishes to place an order for other products, and a payment receiver for receiving payment from the customer;

b. dispensing fuel through the fuel dispensing and measuring apparatus;

c. monitoring the cost of fuel dispensed;

d. signalling a store operator from a signalling device located at the fuel dispenser when fast food ordering is desired;

e. responding to the signal from the signalling device by the video display and the first speaker;

f. transmitting product order data requested by the customer from the first microphone to a fast food ordering location;

g. registering the order data received from the customer on an order-entry data terminal;

h. transmitting product order cost data from the remote product ordering location to the fuel dispenser;

i. displaying the product order cost data on the video display of the fuel dispenser; and

j. receiving payment for the fuel and fast food from the customer through the payment receiver.

23. The method of claim 22 further including the step of displaying advertising and promotional information on the video display by transmitting a video image from an external audio/visual signal source.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein said step of signalling the store operator further includes the steps of actuating a button on the fuel dispenser.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of responding to actuation of the signalling device further includes the steps of:

a. displaying a message on the fuel pump video screen after the customer actuates the order button and before the operator responds to said indicator; and

b. selecting a fuel pump to respond to among the signalling customers.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein the transmitting other product order cost data step includes the steps of:

a. responding to the customer over the audio transmission originating from the operator'"'"'s workstation;

b. sending an order confirmation to the customer; and

c. providing total sale cost information to the customer located at the fuel pump.

27. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of sending the order confirmation to the customer further includes sending a video image of the store operator.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the step of sending the order confirmation to the customer further includes superimposing graphic product order data on the video image of the store operator.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the step of providing total sale cost information to the customer further includes the steps of:

a. transmitting the fast food product cost information from the store operator'"'"'s data terminal via twisted pair wiring to the central control computer;

b. combining the total fuel sale cost and fast food total cost at the central control computer; and

c. relaying the total sale cost information from the central control computer to the video display on the fuel pump.

30. A method of arranging for sale and payment for fuel and other products in a single transaction, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a card-reader equipped fuel dispenser housing having fuel dispensing and measuring apparatus, a video display for displaying information to the customer, a first microphone to capture the voice of the customer, a first speaker to reproduce the voice of the operator when fast food ordering is initiated, a signalling device actuable to permit the customer to signal to the operator that the customer wishes to place an order for other products, and a payment receiver for receiving payment from the customer;

b. authorizing credit for the customer from a central computer;

c. dispensing fuel through the fuel dispensing and measuring apparatus;

d. monitoring the cost of fuel dispensed;

e. displaying other advertising and promotional information provided by an external audio/visual signal source to the customer located at the fuel dispenser;

f. signalling a store operator from a signalling device located at the fuel dispenser when fast food ordering is desired, further including the steps of actuating a button on the fuel dispenser;

g. responding to actuation of the signalling device by the customer by inviting the customer to place an order for other products in the form of reproducing the voice of an operator on the first speaker, said responding further including the steps of;

i. displaying a message on the fuel pump video screen after the customer actuates the order button and before the operator responds to said indicator; and

ii. selecting a fuel pump to respond to from among the signalling customers;

h. transmitting fast food order data requested by the customer from the first microphone to a remote product ordering location;

i. registering the fast food order data on an order-entry data terminal;

j. transmitting order cost data from the remote product ordering location to the fuel dispenser, wherein said transmitting further includes the steps of;

i. responding to the customer over the audio transmission originating from the operator'"'"'s workstation;

ii. sending an order confirmation to the customer'"'"'s fuel dispenser, said sending further including the step of superimposing graphic product order information on the video display; and

iii. providing total sale cost information to the customer on the video display located at the fuel dispenser, said providing further including the steps of transmitting the fast food product cost information from the store operator'"'"'s data terminal to the site controller, combining the total fuel cost and fast food cost;

k. receiving payment for the fuel and fast food products from the customer through the payment receiver;

l. printing a pick-up ticket for the customer to carry to the delivery window; and

m. delivering the other product orders to the customer at a delivery window.

31. An apparatus for installation in a retail setting for selling fuel and fast food products ordered by a customer interacting with an operator, comprising:

a. a fuel dispenser housing including;

i. fuel dispensing and measuring apparatus;

ii. a video display for displaying information to the customer;

iii. a first microphone to capture the voice of the customer;

iv. a first speaker to reproduce the voice of the operator;

v. a signalling device actuable to permit the customer to signal to the operator that the customer wishes to place an order for fast food items by interfacing with an operator; and

vi. a customer interface configured to provide a complete fuel transaction at said housing without operator intervention when fast food items are not ordered;

b. fast food ordering apparatus including;

i. a data terminal for receiving operator-keyed data about other products ordered by a customer at said housing;

ii. a second microphone to be positioned to capture the voice of the operator during a transaction and linked to the first speaker in the fuel dispenser;

iii. a second speaker linked to the first microphone in the fuel dispenser to reproduce the voice of the customer during a transaction; and

iv. an indicator linked to the signalling device to indicate to the operator that the customer wishes to order other products; and

c. a controller linked to the fuel dispenser and to the other product ordering apparatus to receive order information concerning other products ordered by the customer and communicate received order information to said fuel dispenser so that the customer may pay for other products as well as dispensed fuel.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 further comprising a video source linked to the video display to provide video images to display on said video display wherein said video source is a camera to be oriented to capture an image of the operator during a transaction and provide said image to said video display.

33. The apparatus of claim 31 further including a video source linked to the video display to provide video images to display on said video display.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said video source is a video player.

35. The apparatus of claim 32 further comprising a video controller operatively associated with said camera and said video display adapted to mix the order information with the video images provided by said camera for display on said video display.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said video controller is located at said fuel dispenser housing.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said video controller is located at said fast food ordering apparatus.

38. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said video controller is adapted to superimpose the order information on said video display.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said video controller is adapted to superimpose the order information on said video display line by line.

40. An apparatus for installation in a retail setting for selling fuel and other non-fuel products ordered by a customer interacting with an operator, comprising:

a. a fuel dispenser housing including;

i. fuel dispensing and measuring apparatus;

ii. a video display for displaying information to the customer;

iii. a first microphone to capture the voice of the customer;

iv. a first speaker to reproduce the voice of the operator;

v. a signalling device actuable to permit the customer to signal to the operator that the customer wishes to place an order for fast food products by interfacing with the operator;

vi. a video controller linked to said video display for providing mixed video images to said video display; and

vii. a customer interface configured to provide a complete fuel transaction at said housing without operator intervention when fast food items are not ordered;

b. fast food ordering apparatus including;

i. a data terminal for receiving operator-keyed data about fast food products ordered by a customer;

ii. a second microphone to be positioned to capture the voice of the operator during a transaction and linked to the first speaker in the fuel dispenser;

iii. a second speaker linked to the first microphone in the fuel dispenser to reproduce the voice of the customer during a transaction; and

iv. an indicator linked to the signalling device to indicate to the operator that the customer wishes to order other products;

c. a controller linked to the fuel dispenser and to the fast food product ordering apparatus to receive order information concerning other products ordered by the customer and communicate received order information to said fuel dispenser so that the customer may pay for other products as well as dispensed fuel; and

d. a camera focused on the operator and linked to the video controller to provide video images to display on said video display, said video controller adapted to mix the order information with the video images to provide a video receipt with line item detail of the order;

wherein said apparatus is configured to provide audio and video of the operator at the video display to place a fast food item order when said signalling device is activated in addition to carrying out a fueling transaction.

41. An apparatus for installation in a retail setting for selling fuel and fast food items ordered by a customer interacting with an operator, comprising:

a. a fuel dispenser housing including;

i. fuel dispensing and measuring apparatus;

ii. a video display for displaying information to the customer;

iii. a first microphone to capture the voice of the customer;

iv. a first speaker to reproduce the voice of the operator;

v. a signalling device actuable to permit the customer to signal to the operator that the customer wishes to place an order for fast food items by interfacing with an operator; and

vi. a customer interface configured to provide a complete fuel transaction at said housing without operator intervention when fast food items are not ordered;

b. a fast food ordering apparatus located apart from said housing including;

i. a data terminal for receiving operator-keyed data about products ordered by a customer at said housing;

ii. a second microphone to be positioned to capture the voice of the operator during a transaction and linked to the first speaker in the fuel dispenser;

iii. a second speaker linked to the first microphone in the fuel dispenser to reproduce the voice of the customer during a transaction; and

iv. an indicator linked to the signalling device to indicate to the operator that the customer wishes to order other products;

c. a video control system linked to the video display to control video images displayed on the video display; and

d. a site controller linked to the fuel dispenser and to the fast food ordering apparatus to receive cost information concerning fast food ordered by the customer and communicating received cost information to said fuel dispenser so that the customer may pay for other products as well as dispensed fuel;

wherein said apparatus is configured to provide audio of the operator at the video display when a customer orally enters a fast food item order when said signalling device is activated in addition to carrying out a fueling transaction.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said fast food ordering apparatus further includes a camera to be oriented to capture an image of the operator during a transaction and linked to the video display in the fuel dispenser.