Fuel dispenser integrated media display system

• US 7,107,231 B1
• Filed: 10/06/2000
• Issued: 09/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Billboard Video, Inc. (Craig Realty Group)
• Original Assignee: Billboard Video, Inc. (Craig Realty Group)
• Inventors: Stapp, Ron, Hall, William Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Garg, Yogesh C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAQ, NAEEM U
• Application Number:
  US09/684,762
• Time in Patent Office: 2,167 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 705/14
• US Class Current: 705/14.61
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0244 Optimization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0264 based upon schedule
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0268 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement

Abstract

A fuel dispenser advertising system. One or more fuel dispensers are provided each having a display subassembly. Each display subassembly presents audio and video information received wirelessly from a master interface system to a customer during a fueling operation. The master interface system receives periodic updated downloads from a central location.

Claims

1. A fuel dispenser advertising system, comprising:

one or more fuel dispensers, having a central processing unit controlling fuel dispensing;

a display subassembly associated with each of said one or more fuel dispensers and presenting advertising information to a customer; and

a master interface system storing advertising information and transmitting said stored advertising information to each display subassembly by executing predetermined programming of said advertising information; and

wherein said master interface system logs in to a central office system to download updates of said advertising information and synchronize transmitting of said stored advertising information with synchronizing information received from the central office system such that distribution of said advertising information at a location of said master interface system can be synchronized with delivery of similar advertising information at other remote locations;

wherein the master interface system interacts with one or more external systems, including the central office system, only when the interaction is initiated by the master interface system; and

wherein the central processing unit adjusts a pumping speed of at least one of the one or more fuel dispensers to allow presentation of the advertising information to be completed.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each display subassembly comprises an electronic display for presenting said advertising information to said customer, said advertising information comprising audio and video information.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said display is a liquid crystal display (LCD).

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said LCD has enhanced brightness during light ambient conditions which allows said customer to more easily view said displayed advertising information.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said master interface system transmits said advertising information wirelessly to each display subassembly.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein only advertising information which is different than said advertising information already stored on said master interface system is downloaded from said central office.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said master interface system is located adjacent to said one or more fuel dispensers.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said master interface system is physically mated to one of said one or more fuel dispensers.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said master interface system executes said predetermined programming according to a programmed schedule.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said master interface system presents emergency broadcast and local public service announcements to said customer.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said display subassembly is operable to present said advertising information when a sensor is triggered in response to an arrival of said customer at a select one of said one or more fuel dispensers.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said display subassembly is operable to automatically adjust a brightness of an electronic display of said display subassembly in accordance with ambient light conditions.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said display subassembly is operatively connected to a video camera which focuses on a demeanor of said customer during presentation of said advertising information.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said display subassembly comprises a coupon dispenser for dispensing coupons to said customer in response to a promotional program.

15. A fuel dispenser advertising system, comprising:

one or more fuel dispensers, having a central processing unit controlling fuel dispensing;

one or more display subassemblies respectively associated with said one or more fuel dispensers and presenting information to a customer; and

a master interface system storing said information and transmitting said information to one or more of said one or more display subassemblies;

said master interface system also downloading an update of said information from a central office system, said update including only information determined at the central office system to be different than said information already stored on said master interface system;

said master interface system further for accessing the central office system at a prescribed time along with other master interface systems so that all master interface systems receive additional information for substantially simultaneous presentation by all master interface systems; and

wherein the central processing unit adjusts a pumping speed of at least one of the one or more fuel dispensers to allow presentation of the information to be completed.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said master interface system transmits said information wirelessly to one or more of said one or more display subassemblies.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said master interface system downloads said update wirelessly from the central office system.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said master interface system is physically attached to one of said one or more fuel dispensers.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein said information is advertising information.

20. A fuel dispenser advertising system, comprising:

one or more fuel dispensers, having a central processing unit controlling fuel dispensing;

one or more display subassemblies respectively associated with said one or more fuel dispensers and presenting information to a customer; and

a master interface system physically attached to one of said one or more fuel dispensers, said master interface system transmitting said information wirelessly to one or more of said one or more display subassemblies;

said master interface system also downloading an update of said information wirelessly from a central office system; and

wherein the central processing unit adjusts a pumping speed of at least one of the one or more fuel dispensers to allow presentation of the information to be completed.