Fuel dispensing system preventing customer drive-off

• US 6,157,871 A
• Filed: 02/17/1998
• Issued: 12/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gilbarco Incorporated (Vontier Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Marconi Commerce Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Terranova, Steven N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grant, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gain, Edward F.
• Application Number:
  US09/024,499
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 705/413, 700/237, 700/236, 700/232, 700/231, 700/283, 141/94, 141/392
• US Class Current: 700/231
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/067 using communication means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/08 Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred arrangement of flow- or pressure-control valves B67D7/36; computing, calculating, counting G06; coin-freed apparatus for dispensing fluids G07F13/00; prepayment devices for metering liquids G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/145 by wireless communication means, e.g. RF, transponders or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/348 by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder B67D7/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/343 Cards including a counter
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/346 Cards serving only as information carrier of service
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 wherein the data carrier is removable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

The present invention provides a fuel dispensing system comprising a fuel dispenser associated with a control system adapted to detect a drive-off when fuel is delivered and not paid for, and generate a drive-off signal when a drive-off condition is detected. A receiver is associated with the control system and adapted to receive signals including identification indicia from a remote communications unit associated with the customer. A transmitter associated with the control system is adapted to transmit the drive-off signal to the remote communications unit. The drive-off signal is adapted to cause the remote communications unit to take measures to prevent future transactions involving that customer, and, in particular, the remote communications unit.

Claims

1. A fuel dispensing system comprising:

a) a fuel dispenser associated with a control system adapted to detect a drive-off when fuel is delivered and not paid for and generate a drive-off signal when a drive-off condition is detected;

b) a receiver associated with said control system and adapted to receive signals including identification indicia from a remote communications unit associated with a customer;

c) a transmitter associated with said control system and adapted to transmit the drive-off signal to the remote communications unit; and

d) wherein the drive-off signal is adapted to cause said remote communications unit to prevent future transactions involving the customer and the fuel dispensing system.

2. The fuel dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the drive-off signal is adapted to prevent future communications with the remote communications unit.

3. The fuel dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the drive-off signal is further adapted to inform the customer during a future transaction involving the remote communications unit of the drive-off.

4. The fuel dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said control system is adapted to gather information from the remote communications unit relating to historical use of the remote communications unit.

5. The fuel dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said control system is adapted to gather information relating to the current transaction.

6. The fuel dispensing system of claim 5 wherein the information relating to the current transaction is customer information received from a card reader operatively associated with the control system.

7. The fuel dispensing system of claim 5 wherein the information relating to the current transaction is customer images received from a camera operatively associated with the control system.

8. The fuel dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said control system is associated with an operator indicator and adapted to actuate said indicator upon the drive-off condition.

9. The fuel dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said control system is associated with an security indicator and adapted to actuate said indicator upon detecting the drive-off condition.

10. The fuel dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said control system comprises a dispenser controller and a central controller located apart from said dispenser.

11. The fuel dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said control system comprises a dispenser controller.

12. The fuel dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said control system comprises a central control system located apart from said dispenser.

13. The fuel dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said control system includes a dispenser control system and is associated with a central site control system operating in conjunction with a transaction terminal, said central site control system operating to detect that a fueling operation was not paid for and provide a drive-off alert to the dispenser control system.

14. A method of generating a drive-off signal in a fuel dispensing system comprising:

a) detecting a drive-off when fuel is delivered and not paid for;

b) generating a drive-off signal when a drive-off condition is detected;

c) transmitting the drive-off signal to a remote communications unit; and

d) wherein the drive-off is signal adapted to cause said remote communications unit to prevent future transactions involving the customer and the fuel dispensing system.

15. A fuel dispensing system comprising:

a) a fuel dispenser having an interrogator and a user interface controlled by a dispenser controller, said dispenser controller adapted to communicate with a central site control system located apart from said fuel dispenser;

b) said interrogator adapted to communicate with a transponder associated with a customer, said interrogator adapted to receive transponder identification for said dispenser controller;

c) said dispenser controller adapted to detect a drive-off when fuel is delivered and not paid for and generate a drive-off signal when a drive-off condition is detected; and

d) wherein the drive-off signal is adapted to cause said remote communications unit to prevent future transactions involving the customer and the fuel dispensing system.