Service station car wash

• US 7,201,315 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2003
• Issued: 04/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gilbarco Incorporated (Vontier Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Gilbarco Incorporated (Vontier Corp.)
• Inventors: Williams, Francis C., Symonds, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim; Ahshik
• Application Number:
  US10/430,689
• Publication Number:
  US 20040079799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,435 Days
• Field of Search: 235/383, 235/381, 235/380, 705/1, 705/13, 705/64
• US Class Current: 235/383
• 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 17/20 for washing or drying articles, e.g. clothes, motor cars

Abstract

An improved service station car wash system. A car wash kiosk is coupled to the fuel dispenser communication loop in the forecourt of the service station so that the car wash kiosk appears to the service station controller just as a fuel dispenser would. The car wash kiosk sends a car wash request over the fuel dispenser communication loop to the service station site controller. The service station controller handles any payment processing needed, as it would for payment entered at a fuel dispenser, and in turn communicates such request to a car wash controller for initiation of a car wash. The service station site controller is able to communicate to the car wash kiosk in a similar manner as communication occurs with a fuel dispenser, thereby making the functionality present in the service station controller for fuel dispenser applicable and reusable for a car wash kiosk.

Claims

1. A system for communicating a car wash request to a POS, comprising:

at least one fuel dispenser communicatively coupled to said POS through a fuel dispenser communication loop, wherein the fuel dispenser communication loop carries communications relating to control of said at least one fuel dispenser to said POS in response thereto; and

a car wash kiosk, separate from said at least one fuel dispenser and which does not dispense fuel, coupled to the fuel dispenser communication loop via a wired connection, comprising;

an input device adapted to receive said car wash request; and

a control system adapted to receive said car wash request from said input device;

said control system adapted to receive configuration information from the POS and communicate said car wash request over said fuel dispenser communication loop to the POS to request authorization for a car wash.

2. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein said input device further comprises a payment input device.

3. The kiosk of claim 2, wherein said input device is selected from the group consisting of a bill acceptor, a magnetic strip card reader, a RF interrogator, an optical scanner, a touch-screen display, a keypad, and soft-keys.

4. The kiosk of claim 3, wherein said bill acceptor is selected from the group consisting of a coin acceptor and a currency acceptor.

5. The kiosk of claim 3, wherein said magnetic strip card reader is adapted to receive a PIN in response to receipt of a debit card in said magnetic strip card reader.

6. The kiosk of claim 3, wherein said magnetic strip card reader is adapted to receive a debit card, a credit card, a proprietary card, a membership card, an oil company card, a discount card, and a prepaid card.

7. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein said car wash kiosk further comprises an output device for delivering information regarding the car wash.

8. The kiosk of claim 7, wherein said output device is a receipt printer that gives a paper receipt in response to a car wash request from said input device.

9. The kiosk of claim 8, wherein said paper receipt contains an authentication code.

10. The kiosk of claim 7, wherein said output device is a visual display.

11. The kiosk of claim 10, wherein said visual display is selected from the group consisting of a text display and a graphic display.

12. The kiosk of claim 11, wherein said visual display displays other merchandise for purchase in addition to a car wash.

13. The kiosk of claim 12, wherein said other merchandise is selected from the group consisting of food, drink, automotive goods, and tickets.

14. The kiosk of claim 10, wherein said visual display displays advertising.

15. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein said at least one fuel dispenser is also capable of communicating a fuel dispenser car wash request over said fuel dispenser communication loop to the POS to request an authentication code for controlling the car wash.

16. The kiosk of claim 15, wherein said input device is also adapted to receive said authentication code to authorize a car wash associated with said fuel dispenser car wash request.

17. The kiosk of claim 15, wherein said input device is configured to accept as an input said authentication code for authorization of a car wash.

18. A car wash system for controlling a car wash to be performed on a customer'"'"'s vehicle, comprising:

a car wash controller, comprising a car wash controller input device, said car wash controller adapted to generate an authentication code that can later be input into said car wash controller input device by the customer and verified by said car wash controller to activate the car wash;

a POS communicatively coupled to said car wash controller;

one or more fuel dispensers communicatively coupled to said POS through a fuel dispenser communication loop to dispense fuel under control of said POS; and

a car wash kiosk, separate from the one or more fuel dispensers and which does not dispense fuel, coupled to the fuel dispenser communication loop via a wired connection, comprising;

an input device to input a car wash request; and

a control system coupled to said input device;

said control system adapted to communicate said car wash request over said fuel dispenser communication loop to said car wash controller through said POS to authorize said car wash.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said car wash controller generates said authentication code in response to receiving said car wash request.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said car wash controller communicates said authentication code to said control system via said POS and over said fuel dispenser communication loop.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein said car wash kiosk further comprises an output device wherein said authentication code is output to the customer through said output device.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said output device is selected from the group consisting of a receipt printer, a visual display, and a RF interrogator.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein said receipt printer generates a paper receipt in response to a car wash request from said input device.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein said car wash kiosk further comprises a payment input device for payment of the car wash.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein said payment input device receives a customer'"'"'s account number in response to said car wash request.

26. The system of claim 25, said payment input device communicates said account number to said control system wherein said control system farther communicates said account number to said POS over said fuel dispenser communication loop.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein said POS communicates said account number to a remote processing center for authorization.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein said remote processing center communicates a verification message to said POS if said account number is verified.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein said POS communicates said car wash request to said car wash controller after said account number is verified.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein said car wash controller generates said authentication code in response to receiving said car wash request.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein said car wash controller communicates said authentication code to said control system via said POS and over said fuel dispenser communication loop.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein said car wash kiosk further comprises an output device wherein said authentication code is output to the customer through said output device.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein said output device is selected from the group consisting of a receipt printer, a visual display, and a RF interrogator.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein said receipt printer generates a paper receipt in response to said car wash request from said input device.

35. The system of claim 24, wherein said payment input device is configured to accept as an input said authentication code for authorization of the car wash.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein said output device is a visual display and wherein said control system causes said visual display to display a validation message once said authentication code is verified.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein said output device notifies the customer to lower the antenna on the vehicle before entering the car wash.

38. The system of claim 24, wherein said payment input device accepts said car wash request when the car wash is operating on a previous customer'"'"'s vehicle.

39. The system of claim 18, wherein said car wash kiosk further comprises an output device for delivering information regarding the car wash.

40. The system of claim 18, wherein said at least one fuel dispenser is also capable of communicating a fuel dispenser car wash request over said fuel dispenser communication loop to the POS to request an authentication code for controlling the car wash in response to the customer selecting a car wash on a fuel dispenser input device on said fuel dispenser.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein said fuel dispenser is adapted to receive said authentication code to authorize a car wash associated with said fuel dispenser car wash request.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein said fuel dispenser car wash request is comprised of a most expensive car wash and a less expensive car wash than said most expensive car wash.

43. The system of claim 42, further comprising an output device that is a visual display and wherein said visual display displays an upgrade car wash option for selection by said input device if said fuel dispenser car wash request response is not for said most expensive car wash.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein said control system calculates and displays on said output device the balance due for said upgrade car wash option based on the difference between the normal price for said upgrade car wash option and the car wash option associated with said fuel dispenser car wash request.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein said car wash kiosk further comprises a payment input device that accepts payment for said upgrade car wash option if there is a balance due for said upgrade car wash.

46. The system of claim 18, wherein said input device is further adapted to input a merchandise request for merchandise ordered by the customer.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein said merchandise request is communicated over said fuel dispenser communication loop to a merchandise fulfillment system.

48. The system of claim 46, wherein said car wash kiosk further comprises a payment input device that receives payment from the customer for said merchandise request.

49. The system of claim 46, wherein said merchandise is selected from the group consisting of food, beverage, motor oil, tickets and clothing.

50. The system of claim 18, wherein said car wash kiosk further comprises an output device that communicates validation of said authentication code.

51. The system of claim 18, further comprising a second car wash kiosk, comprising:

an input device to input a car wash request; and

a control system coupled to said input device;

said control system adapted to communicate said car wash request over said fuel dispenser communication loop to said car wash controller through said POS to authorize a car wash.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein said input device is configured to allow the customer to choose between a plurality of car washes for communication of said car wash request.

53. A method of communicating a car wash request for providing a car wash, comprising the steps of:

communicating configuration information to a car wash kiosk over a fuel dispenser communication loop, wherein the fuel dispenser communication loon is coupled to an at least one fuel dispenser;

inputting said car wash request on said car wash kiosk, wherein said car wash kiosk is coupled to said fuel dispenser communication loop via a wired connection, separate from said at least one fuel dispenser, and incapable of dispensing fuel;

communicating said car wash request over said fuel dispenser communication loop to a POS;

communicating said car wash request from said POS to a car wash controller; and

authorizing said car wash in response to said car wash request.

54. The method of claim 53, further comprising entering payment at said car wash kiosk to pay for the car wash.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein said car wash request is communicated to said POS only after payment has been entered at said car wash kiosk.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein said entering payment is selected from a step from the group of steps consisting of swiping a card in a card reader, scanning a card in an optical scanner, responding to an interrogation signal transmitted by said car wash kiosk, and entering cash into a bill acceptor.

57. The method of claim 53, further comprising displaying instructions to the customer about operation of the car wash.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein said instructions are selected from the group consisting of lower vehicle antenna,location of car wash entrance, and customer return message.

59. The method of claim 53, further comprising displaying advertising to the customer.

60. A system for communicating a car wash request to a POS, comprising:

at least one fuel dispenser communicatively coupled to said POS through a fuel dispenser communication loop, wherein the fuel dispenser communication loop carries communications relating to control of said at least one fuel dispenser to said POS in response thereto; and

a car wash kiosk, separate from said at least one fuel dispenser and which does not dispense fuel, comprising;

an input device adapted to receive said car wash request;

a payment input device; and

a control system adapted to receive said car wash request from said input device;

said control system adapted to;

receive configuration information from said POS;

communicate said car wash request over said fuel dispenser communication loop to said POS to request authorization for a car wash; and

calculate an overpayment credit if payment entered into said payment input device is greater than cost of said car wash request.

61. The kiosk of claim 60, farther comprising a change delivery device that delivers change related to said overpayment credit.

62. The kiosk of claim 61, wherein said overpayment credit is delivered in the form selected from the group consisting of a printed refund receipt and a stored credit communicated by said control system to said POS for use at other locations within a fueling environment.

63. A system for communicating a car wash request to a POS, comprising:

at least one fuel dispenser communicatively coupled to said POS through a fuel dispenser communication loop, wherein the fuel dispenser communication loop carries communications relating to control of said at least one fuel dispenser to said POS in response thereto; and

a car wash kiosk, separate from said at least one fuel dispenser and which does not dispense fuel, comprising;

an input device adapted to receive said car wash request, wherein said car wash request is an authentication code from a previously purchased car wash option;

said previously purchased car wash option is selected from the group consisting of a most expensive car wash, and a less expensive car wash than said most expensive car wash; and

an output device tat is a visual display, wherein said visual display displays an upgrade car wash option for selection at said input device if said authorization code of said previously purchased car wash option is not for said most expensive car wash; and

a control system adapted to receive said car wash request from said input device;

said control system adapted to receive configuration information from said POS and communicate said car wash request over said fuel dispenser communication loop to said POS to request authorization for a car wash.

64. The kiosk of claim 63, wherein said control system calculates and displays a balance due for said upgrade car wash option based on the difference in price between said upgrade car wash option and said previously purchased car wash option.

65. The kiosk of claim 64, wherein said car wash kiosk further comprises a payment input device, wherein said payment input device accepts payment for said upgrade car wash option if there is a balance due for said upgrade car wash option.

66. A system for communicating a car wash request to a POS comprising:

at least one fuel dispenser communicatively coupled to said POS through a fuel dispenser communication loop, wherein to fuel dispenser communication loop carries communications relating to control of said at least one fuel dispenser to said POS in response thereto; and

a car wash kiosk, separate from said at least one fuel dispenser and which does not dispense fuel, comprising;

an input device adapted to receive a car wash request;

an output device that is a visual display; and

a control system adapted to receive said car wash request from said input device;

said control system adapted to;

receive configuration information from said POS;

communicate said car wash request over said fuel dispenser communication loop to said POS to request authorization for a car wash; and

display a validation message on said visual display if an authentication code is entered into said input device for said car wash request and said authentication code is verified.

67. A car wash system for controlling a car wash to be performed on a customer'"'"'s vehicle, comprising:

a car wash controller, comprising a car wash controller input device, said car wash controller adapted to generate an authentication code tat can later be input into said car wash controller input device by said customer and verified by said car wash controller to activate said car wash;

a POS communicatively coupled to said car wash controller;

one or more fuel dispensers communicatively coupled to said POS through a fuel dispenser communication loop to dispense fuel under control of said POS; and

a car wash kiosk separate from the one or more fuel dispensers and which does not dispense fuel, comprising;

an input device to input a car wash request;

a payment input device to receive payments for said car wash request; and

a control system coupled to said input device;

said control system adapted to;

communicate said car wash request over said fuel dispenser communication loop to said car wash controller through said POS to authorize a car wash; and

calculate an overpayment credit if payment entered into said payment input device is greater than the cost of said car wash request.

68. The system of claim 67, further comprising an output device that is a change delivery device that delivers change if said overpayment credit is calculated.

69. The car wash system of claim 67, wherein said overpayment credit is delivered in the form selected from the group consisting of a refund receipt and a stored credit communicated by said control system to said POS for use at other locations within a fueling environment.

70. A method of communicating a car wash request for providing a car wash, comprising the steps of:

communicating configuration information to a car wash kiosk over a fuel dispenser communication loop, wherein the fuel dispenser communication loop is coupled to at least one fuel dispenser;

inputting said car wash request on said car wash kiosk, wherein said car wash kiosk is separate from said at least one fuel dispenser and incapable of dispensing fuel;

entering payment for said car wash request into an input payment device at said car wash kiosk;

calculating overpayment credit if payment entered into said input payment device is greater than the cost of said car wash request;

communicating said car wash request over said fuel dispenser communication loop to a POS;

communicating said car wash request from said POS to a car wash controller; and

authorizing a car wash in response to said car wash request.

71. The method of claim 70, further comprising delivering overpayment credit in the form selected from the group consisting of a refund receipt and communicating a stored credit by said control system to said POS for use at other locations within a fueling environment.

72. A method of communicating a car wash request for providing a car wash, comprising the steps of:

communicating configuration information to a car wash kiosk over a fuel dispenser communication loop, wherein the fuel dispenser communication loop is coupled to at least one fuel dispenser;

inputting said car wash request on said car wash kiosk, wherein said car wash kiosk is separate from said at least one fuel dispenser and incapable of dispensing fuel;

offering an upgrade car wash option from said car wash request input by the customer at the car wash kiosk;

communicating said car wash request over said fuel dispenser communication loop to a POS;

communicating said car wash request from said POS to a car wash controller; and

authorizing a car wash in response to said car wash request.

73. The method of claim 72, further comprising displaying a difference in price between said car wash request input and the upgrade car wash option if the customer selects said upgrade car wash option.

74. The method of claim 73, further comprising accepting additional payment for said difference in price.