System for and method of transacting non-fuel purchases using an island transaction terminal

• US 20020107742A1
• Filed: 02/02/2001
• Published: 08/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Magill J. Breck
• Original Assignee: Magill J. Breck
• Inventors: Magill, J. Breck
• Application Number:
  US09/776,261
• Publication Number:
  US 20020107742A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/17
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/72 Auxiliary equipment, e.g. for lighting cigars, opening bottles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery
• 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

Abstract

The disclosure describes an exemplary system and method of transacting non-fuel purchases using an island transaction terminal. The method can include receiving customer identification information associated with a customer, obtaining authorization to offer a sale to the customer, offering a non-fuel purchase to the customer, and, upon receiving a request to make a non-fuel purchase, completing the sale of the requested non-fuel purchase.

Claims

1. A method of transacting non-fuel purchases using an island transaction terminal, the method comprising:

receiving customer identification information associated with a customer;

obtaining authorization to offer a sale to the customer;

offering a non-fuel purchase to the customer; and

upon receiving a request to make a non-fuel purchase, completing the sale of the requested non-fuel purchase.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving customer identification information associated with a customer comprises receiving credit card information using a credit card reader.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving customer identification information associated with a customer comprises receiving customer information from a customer identification object.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining authorization to offer a sale to the customer comprises communicating with a remote computer server.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of completing the sale of the requested non-fuel purchase comprises dispensing a selected item from a vending machine terminal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of completing the sale of the requested non-fuel purchase comprises communicating sale information to a web server via the Internet.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of offering a non-fuel purchase to the customer comprises presenting an offer on a display screen located on a gasoline pump terminal.

8. A system for transacting non-fuel purchases using an island transaction terminal, the system comprising:

a gasoline pump terminal including a customer information input device, a display screen, and a selection device; and

a vending machine terminal coupled to the gasoline pump terminal, the vending machine terminal being configured to dispense non-fuel items upon purchase by a customer.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a remote computer server coupled to the gasoline pump terminal, the remote computer server being configured to provide authorization to make sales to customers based on customer identification information.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the gasoline pump terminal and the vending machine terminal are integrated into one unitary terminal.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the customer information input device comprises a credit card reader.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the selection device comprises a numeric keypad.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the selection device comprises buttons located on the vending machine terminal.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the display screen and the selection device are integrated into one unitary device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the unitary device is a touch screen.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the means for receiving customer identification information associated with a customer comprises means for receiving credit card information.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the means for completing the sale of the requested non-fuel purchase comprises means for communicating sale information to a web server via the Internet.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the means for offering a non-fuel purchase to the customer comprises means for presenting an offer to sell a non-fuel item.

20. The system of claim 16, means for obtaining authorization to offer a sale to the customer comprises means for communicating with a remote computer server.

16. A system for transacting non-fuel purchases using an island transaction terminal, the system comprising:

means for receiving customer identification information associated with a customer;

means for obtaining authorization to offer a sale to the customer;

means for offering a non-fuel purchase to the customer; and

means for completing the sale of the requested non-fuel purchase upon receiving a request to make a non-fuel purchase.

21. A method executed by a computing device to transact non-fuel purchases using an island transaction terminal, the method comprising:

presenting a display at a gasoline pump terminal;

presenting non-fuel purchase options at the display; and

upon receiving a selection of a non-fuel purchase, transacting the purchase of the non-fuel selection.

22. An island transaction terminal comprising:

a gasoline pump portion configured to dispense gasoline and communicate gasoline purchase information; and

a vending machine portion configured to present non-fuel items for selection and purchase, wherein the vending machine portion is coupled to the gasoline pump portion.