Fuel dispensing system for cash customers

• US 7,020,541 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2001
• Issued: 03/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gilbarco Incorporated (Vontier Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Gilbarco Incorporated (Vontier Corp.)
• Inventors: Wilson, Amy Hetz
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh, Donald P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Butler, Michael E.
• Application Number:
  US09/758,070
• Publication Number:
  US 20020107608A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,903 Days
• Field of Search: 700/241, 700/244, 705/14, 705/26, 235/381
• US Class Current: 700/223
• 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: 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 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 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• 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 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• 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 is a fuel dispensing system for enhancing cash transactions, which includes a fuel dispenser associated with a control system and a receiver adapted to receive signals, including identification indicia from a remote communications unit associated with a customer when a cash transaction is indicated. A cash transaction indicator is adapted to signal the control system that a cash transaction is taking place, and may be selectable by the customer or an operator of the system at the beginning of the transaction. The system may also include a transmitter adapted to transmit the customer-related information to the remote communication unit associated with the customer, or may include memory for storing the customer-related information in association with the identification indicia. The system may store credit for change based on a cash transaction, or may provide and store loyalty points on or in association with a transponder.

Claims

1. A fuel dispensing system for enhancing cash transactions comprising:

a) a fuel dispenser including a dispenser control system and a receiver adapted to receive signals including identification indicia from a remote communications unit associated with a customer, said receiver operatively associated with said control system to enable said dispenser control system to retrieve the identification indicia;

b) a central control system operatively associated with and located apart from the dispenser control system; and

c) a cash transaction indicator associated with said control systems and adapted to signal said control systems of a cash transaction;

d) said control systems having associated memory and operating to provide customer transaction information and associate the customer transaction information with the identification indicia when a cash transaction is indicated by said cash transaction indicator; and

e) said customer transaction information includes a credit relating to change in a cash transaction.

2. A fuel dispensing system for enhancing cash transactions that occur as part of a fueling transaction comprising:

a) a fuel dispenser associated with a control system and a receiver adapted to receive signals including identification indicia from a remote communications unit associated with a customer, said receiver operatively associated with said control system to enable said control system to retrieve the identification indicia; and

b) a cash transaction indicator associated with said control system and adapted to signal said control system of a cash transaction corresponding with the fueling transaction;

c) said control system adapted to create customer related information and associate the customer related information with the identification indicia received from said remote communications unit in response to the cash transaction being indicated by said cash transaction indicator, wherein the customer related information is selected from the group consisting of;

a credit relating to change and a loyalty benefit; and

d) said control system including a dispenser controller and a central controller apart from said dispenser.

3. The fuel dispensing system of claim 2 wherein said cash transaction indicator associated with said control system and adapted to signal said control system that a cash transaction corresponding to a fueling transaction has begun signals said control system that a cash transaction corresponding to a fueling transaction has begun before fuel is dispensed.

4. The fuel dispensing system of claim 2 wherein said cash transaction indicator associated with said control system and adapted to signal said control system that a cash transaction corresponding to a fueling transaction has begun signals said control system that a cash transaction corresponding to a fueling transaction has begun after at least some fuel is dispensed.

5. The fuel dispensing system of claim 2 wherein said customer related information is related to the cash transaction.

6. The fuel dispensing system of claim 2 further comprising a transmitter operatively associated with said control system and adapted to transmit the customer related information to the remote communications unit associated with the customer.

7. The fuel dispensing system of claim 2 wherein said control system includes memory for storing the customer related information in association with the identification indicia.

8. The fuel dispensing system of claim 2 wherein said customer related information corresponds to the loyalty benefit and said loyalty benefit is based at least in part on a prior customer transaction.

9. The fuel dispensing system of claim 2 wherein said customer related information corresponds to the loyalty benefit and said loyalty benefit is based at least in part on a current customer transaction.

10. The fuel dispensing system of claim 2 wherein said cash transaction indicator is located on said fuel dispenser and is actuated by a customer when a cash transaction is desired.

11. The fuel dispensing system of claim 10 wherein said fuel dispenser includes a cash acceptor operatively associated with said cash transaction indicator for conducting the cash transaction.

12. The fuel dispensing system of claim 2 wherein the remote communications unit associated with the customer is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle.

13. The fuel dispensing system of claim 2 wherein the remote communications unit associated with the customer is portable and capable of being carried by the customer.

14. A fuel dispensing system for enhancing cash transactions that occur as part of a fueling transaction comprising:

a) a fuel dispenser associated with a control system and a receiver adapted to receive signals including identification indicia from a remote communications unit associated with a customer, said receiver operatively associated with said control system to enable said control system to retrieve the identification indicia; and

b) a cash transaction indicator associated with said control system and adapted to signal said control system of a cash transaction corresponding with the fueling transaction;

c) said control system adapted to create customer related information and associate the customer related information with the identification indicia received from said remote communications unit in response to the cash transaction being indicated by said cash transaction indicator, wherein the customer related information is selected from the group consisting of;

a credit relating to change and a loyalty benefit; and

d) said control system including a central controller located apart from said dispenser.

15. The fuel dispensing system of claim 14 wherein said cash transaction indicator associated with said control system and adapted to signal said control system that a cash transaction corresponding to a fueling transaction has begun signals said control system that a cash transaction corresponding to a fueling transaction has begun before fuel is dispensed.

16. The fuel dispensing system of claim 14 wherein said cash transaction indicator associated with said control system and adapted to signal said control system that a cash transaction corresponding to a fueling transaction has begun signals said control system that a cash transaction corresponding to a fueling transaction has begun after at least some fuel is dispensed.

17. The fuel dispensing system of claim 14 wherein said customer related information is related to the cash transaction.

18. The fuel dispensing system of claim 14 further comprising a transmitter operatively associated with said control system and adapted to transmit the customer related information to the remote communications unit associated with the customer.

19. The fuel dispensing system of claim 14 wherein said control system includes memory for storing the customer related information in association with the identification indicia.

20. The fuel dispensing system of claim 14 wherein said customer related information corresponds to the loyalty benefit and said loyalty benefit is based at least in part on a prior customer transaction.

21. The fuel dispensing system of claim 14 wherein said customer related information corresponds to the loyalty benefit and said loyalty benefit is based at least in part on a current customer transaction.

22. The fuel dispensing system of claim 14 wherein said cash transaction indicator is located on said fuel dispenser and is actuated by a customer when a cash transaction is desired.

23. The fuel dispensing system of claim 22 wherein said fuel dispenser includes a cash acceptor operatively associated with said cash transaction indicator for conducting the cash transaction.

24. The fuel dispensing system of claim 14 wherein the remote communications unit associated with the customer is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle.

25. The fuel dispensing system of claim 14 wherein the remote communications unit associated with the customer is portable and capable of being carried by the customer.

27. The fuel dispensing system of claim 14 wherein said cash transaction indicator associated with said control system systems and adapted to signal said control systems that a cash transaction corresponding to a fueling transaction has begun signals said control systems that a cash transaction corresponding to a fueling transaction has begun before fuel is dispensed.

26. A fuel dispensing system for enhancing cash transactions that occur as part of a fueling transaction comprising:

a) a fuel dispenser including a dispenser control system and a receiver adapted to receive signals including identification indicia from a remote communications unit associated with a customer, said receiver operatively associated with said dispenser control system to enable said dispenser control system to retrieve the identification indicia;

b) a central control system operatively associated with and located apart from the dispenser control system;

c) a cash transaction indicator associated with said control systems and adapted to signal said control systems of a cash transaction corresponding with the fueling transaction; and

d) said control systems having associated memory and operating to create customer related information and associate the customer related information with the identification indicia received from said remote communications unit in response to the cash transaction being indicated by said cash transaction indicator, wherein the customer related information is selected from the group consisting of;

a credit relating to change and a loyalty benefit.

28. The fuel dispensing system of claim 26 wherein said cash transaction indicator associated with said control systems and adapted to signal said control systems that a cash transaction corresponding to a fueling transaction has begun signals said control systems that a cash transaction corresponding to a fueling transaction has begun after at least some fuel is dispensed.

29. The fuel dispensing system of claim 26 wherein said customer related information is related to the cash transaction.

30. The fuel dispensing system of claim 26 further comprising a transmitter operatively associated with said control system and adapted to transmit the customer related information to the remote communications unit associated with the customer.

31. The fuel dispensing system of claim 26 wherein said customer related information corresponds to the loyalty benefit and said loyalty benefit is based at least in part on a prior customer transaction.

32. The fuel dispensing system of claim 26 wherein said customer related information corresponds to the loyalty benefit and said loyalty benefit is based at least in part on a current customer transaction.

33. The fuel dispensing system of claim 26 wherein said cash transaction indicator is located on said fuel dispenser and is actuated by a customer when a cash transaction is desired.

34. The fuel dispensing system of claim 33 wherein said fuel dispenser includes a cash acceptor operatively associated with said cash transaction indicator for conducting the cash transaction.

35. The fuel dispensing system of claim 26 wherein the remote communications unit associated with the customer is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle.

36. The fuel dispensing system of claim 26 wherein the remote communications unit associated with the customer is portable and capable of being carried by the customer.

37. A method of enhancing cash transactions that occur as part of a fueling transaction in a fueling environment comprising:

a) receiving identification indicia from a remote communications unit associated with a customer;

b) determining the customer with the associated remote communications unit is conducting a cash transaction corresponding to a fueling transaction; and

c) crediting a loyalty benefit to the customer as a result of the cash transaction corresponding to the fueling transaction, said crediting accomplished by associating the loyalty benefit with the received identification indicia.

38. The method of claim 37 further comprising storing the loyalty benefit.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the storing includes transmitting the loyalty benefit to the remote communications unit.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the storing includes storing the loyalty benefit in a control system associated with the fueling environment.

41. The method of claim 39 wherein the storing includes storing the loyalty benefit in a host network remote from the fueling environment.

42. The method of claim 37 wherein crediting a loyalty benefit comprises crediting a loyalty benefit based at least in part on a previous transaction.