Card processor for use in fuel dispensing equipment

• US 6,264,103 B1
• Filed: 03/10/1998
• Issued: 07/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tokheim Holding B.V. (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Tokheim Sas (Cognetas LLP)
• Inventors: Stanley, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Pitts, Harold I.
• Application Number:
  US09/037,598
• Time in Patent Office: 1,232 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/381, 235/487
• US Class Current: 235/381
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence

Abstract

A card processor, which is operative to process a card having a data recording portion and an erasable/rewritable display portion comprising a reversible thermosensitive recording material, is integrally arranged with fuel dispensing equipment such as a pump apparatus. The card processor and pump controller are arranged for communication with a network terminal that connects these devices to a communications network linked to entities such as banks and other interested vendors. A user-activated server provides a touchscreen interface to the card processor.

Claims

1. A system for use with fuel dispensing equipment, said system comprising:

a fuel dispenser;

a communication network;

a controller to at least one of monitor and control fuel dispensing activity of said fuel dispenser;

a card processor being operative to process a card having a data recording portion and an erasable/rewritable display portion comprising a reversible thermosensitive recording material;

said card processor being disposed for discrete placement relative to said fuel dispenser and being arranged for selective communication with said controller; and

means for connecting said card processor to said communications network, said means enabling image data to be transferred from said network to said card processor to be written to a card.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said card processor further comprises:

read/write means for selectively performing read/write operations on the data recording portion of said card; and

thermal processing means for selectively performing erasing/rewriting operations on the erasable/rewritable display portion of said card.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the data recording portion of said card further comprises a magnetic medium; and

said card processor further comprises a magnetic reader.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the data recording portion of said card further comprises an integrated circuit; and

said card processor further comprises a microprocessor.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprises:

means for connecting said controller to said communications network.

6. A system for use with fuel dispensing equipment, said system comprising:

a fuel dispenser including a controller to at least one of monitor and control fuel dispensing activity of said fuel dispenser;

a card processing device for use with a card having a data recording portion and an erasable/rewritable display portion comprising a reversible thermosensitive recording material, said card processing device comprising;

read/write means for selectively performing read/write operations on the data recording portion of said card;

thermal processing means for selectively performing erasing/rewriting operations on the erasable/rewritable display portion of said card;

said card processing device being disposed at a location discrete from said fuel dispenser and being arranged for selective communication with the controller of said fuel dispenser;

a communication network;

means for connecting said controller of said fuel dispenser to said communications network; and

means for connecting said card processing device to said communications network.

7. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein:

the data recording portion of said card further comprises a magnetic medium; and

said read/write means further comprises a magnetic reader.

8. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein:

the data recording portion of said card further comprises an integrated circuit; and

said read/write means further comprises a microprocessor.