Fuel Dispenser Management
First Claim
1. A fuel dispenser, comprising:
- a dispenser manager operable to control components of the fuel dispenser;
a display coupled to the dispenser manager, the display operable to visually present fueling session data;
a user input device coupled to the dispenser manager, the user input device operable to detect user indications during a fueling session;
a fuel controller coupled to the dispenser manager, the fuel controller operable to control fuel flow operations; and
a management module associated with the dispenser manager, the management module operable to generate operational commands for the dispenser manager to implement in the fuel dispenser.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Automated systems and processes may provide fuel dispenser management. In one aspect, a system for managing a fuel dispenser may include a dispenser manager, a display, a user input device, a fuel controller, and a management module at the fuel dispenser. The dispenser manager may be operable to control electronic functions of the fuel dispenser. The display may be coupled to the dispenser manager and operable to visually present fueling session data, and the user input device may also be coupled to the dispenser manager and operable to detect user indications during a fueling session. The fuel controller may be coupled to the dispenser manager and operable to control fuel flow operations. The management module may be associated with the dispenser manager and operable to generate operational commands for the dispenser manager.
34 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A fuel dispenser, comprising:
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a dispenser manager operable to control components of the fuel dispenser;
a display coupled to the dispenser manager, the display operable to visually present fueling session data;
a user input device coupled to the dispenser manager, the user input device operable to detect user indications during a fueling session;
a fuel controller coupled to the dispenser manager, the fuel controller operable to control fuel flow operations; and
a management module associated with the dispenser manager, the management module operable to generate operational commands for the dispenser manager to implement in the fuel dispenser. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An autonomous method performed by a fuel dispenser, the method comprising:
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detecting user indications with a user input device regarding a fueling session;
determining with a management module that a customer desires to initiate a fueling session and whether to dispense fuel;
generating with the management module an operational command for a dispenser manager to implement in the fuel dispenser if fuel should be dispensed;
generating a control signal for a fuel controller with the dispenser manager based on the operational command;
dispensing fuel with the fuel controller in response to the control signal; and
presenting fueling session data on a display during the fueling session. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A fuel dispensing system, the system comprising:
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a fueling facility controller operable to provide point-of-sale and pump control operation commands to one or more fuel dispensers;
a communication network coupled to the fueling facility controller; and
a fuel dispenser coupled to the communication network, the communication network allowing the fuel dispenser and the fueling facility controller to exchange data, the fuel dispenser comprising;
a communication interface operable to receive operational commands from and convey customer and fuel dispensing data to the facility controller;
a dispenser manager coupled to the communication interface, the dispenser manager operable to control components of the fuel dispenser;
a display coupled to the dispenser manager, the display operable to visually present fueling session data;
a user input device coupled to the dispenser manager, the user input device operable to detect user input during a fueling session;
a fuel controller coupled to the dispenser manager, the fuel controller operable to control fuel flow operations; and
a management module associated with the dispenser manager, the management module operable to generate operational commands for the dispenser manager to implement in the fuel dispenser, the management module using;
operational commands received from a remote fueling facility computer, instructions for operating the fuel dispenser, the instructions providing point-of-sale operations, including financial transaction rules, at the fuel dispenser, operating content, the operating content operable to be presented on the display to provide customer instructional prompts, fueling status information, advertisements, and fuel prices, and operating logs, the operating logs comprising transaction logs, the transaction logs comprising fueling session financial transaction logs and error logs;
the management module having a passive state and an active state, the management module remaining in the passive state when the fuel dispenser can communicate with the facility controller, transitioning to the active state when the fuel dispenser cannot communicate with the facility controller, and returning to the passive state when the fuel dispenser can communicate with the facility controller.
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Specification