U.S. patent application number 09/952814 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-18 for fuel dispensing and retail system providing a transaction discount for transponder use.
Invention is credited to Marion, Kenneth O..
Application Number | 20020046117 09/952814 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46149780 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020046117 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marion, Kenneth O. |
April 18, 2002 |
Fuel dispensing and retail system providing a transaction discount
for transponder use
Abstract
The present invention provides a fuel dispensing system for
discounting a transaction associated with a remote communications
unit. The system includes communication electronics for
communicating with a remote communications unit, a fuel dispenser
with a customer interface, and a control system associated with the
communication electronics and the fuel dispenser. The control
system is adapted to communicate with the remote communications
unit through the communication electronics and provide a discount
for the transaction if a remote communications unit is associated
with the transaction. The discount may be for an overall
transaction or for a predefined product or service purchased in the
transaction. In certain situations, the discount may be a reduction
in price per unit volume fuel or any other product purchased
through the customer interface. The control system may provide a
discount if the remote communications unit associated with the
transaction is present and the transaction is a non-cash
transaction. Preferably, there is in an input indicative of a
non-cash transaction for signaling the control system.
Inventors: |
Marion, Kenneth O.;
(Greensboro, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WITHROW & TERRANOVA, P.L.L.C.
P.O. BOX 1287
CARY
NC
27512
US
|
Family ID: |
46149780 |
Appl. No.: |
09/952814 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09952814 |
Sep 14, 2001 |
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09024491 |
Feb 17, 1998 |
|
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60060066 |
Sep 26, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.38 ;
700/231; 700/283 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0226 20130101;
G07F 7/00 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; G07C 5/008 20130101; G06Q
30/0238 20130101; B67D 7/08 20130101; G07C 5/0858 20130101; G07F
7/02 20130101; G06Q 30/0236 20130101; G07F 7/1008 20130101; G06Q
30/0251 20130101; G07F 13/025 20130101; B67D 7/067 20130101; G06Q
30/0277 20130101; B67D 7/145 20130101; G06Q 20/343 20130101; G06Q
20/346 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14 ; 700/231;
700/283 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60; G06F
017/00; G05D 007/00; G05D 011/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fuel dispensing system for discounting a transaction
associated with a remote communication unit comprising: a.
communication electronics for communicating with a remote
communications unit; b. a fuel dispenser having a customer
interface; and c. a control system associated with said
communication electronics and said fuel dispenser; and d. said
control system adapted to communicate with said remote
communication unit through said communication electronics and
provide a discount for the transaction if a remote communication
unit is associated with the transaction.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said discount is predefined.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said discount is for a predefined
product or service purchased in the transaction.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein said discount is a reduction in
the price per unit volume of fuel.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein said control system interrogates
the remote communication unit associated with the transaction and
provides said discount upon receiving a response from the remote
communication unit.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein said control system does not
provide said discount when a remote communications unit is not
associated with the transaction.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein said control system provides said
discount if the remote communication unit associated with the
transaction is present and said transaction is a non-cash
transaction.
8. The system of claim 7 further comprising an input indicative of
a noncash transaction.
9. A method of providing a discount for transponder use in a
fueling environment comprising: a. interrogating a transponder
during a transaction at a fuel dispenser; b. receiving indicia from
a transponder associated with the transaction; c. providing a
discount for a product or service of the transaction ordered at the
dispenser when the transponder is associated with the
transaction.
10. The method of claim 9 further including the step of determining
the means of payment is not cash and wherein the providing step
provides the discount when the remote communication unit is
associated with the transaction and the means of payment is not
cash.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/060,066, filed Sep. 26, 1997.
[0002] The present invention relates generally to fuel dispensers
and, more particularly, to fuel dispensers and systems capable of
communicating with various types of transponders and detecting
their movement within and throughout a fueling environment.
[0003] In recent years, traditional gasoline pumps and service
stations have evolved into elaborate point-of-sale (POS) devices
having sophisticated control electronics and user interfaces with
large displays and touch-pads or screens. The dispensers include
various types of payment means, such as card readers and cash
acceptors, to expedite and further enhance fueling transactions. A
customer is not limited to the purchase of fuel at the dispenser.
More recent dispensers allow the customer to purchase services,
such as car washes, and goods, such as fast food or convenience
store products at the dispenser. Once purchased, the customer need
only pick up the goods and services at the station store or the
outlet of a vending machine.
[0004] Remote transaction systems have evolved wherein the fuel
dispenser is adapted to communicate with various types of remote
communication devices, such as transponders, to provide various
types of identification and information to the fuel dispenser
automatically. Given the sophistication of these transaction
systems and the numerous choices provided to the customer at the
dispenser, conducting transactions with transponders will be useful
to allow the dispenser and fuel station store to monitor the
movement of a person carrying a transponder and a vehicle having a
transponder, enhance transaction and marketing efficiencies, and
improve safety in the fueling environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a system capable of applying
a discount to the transaction when a transponder or other preferred
method of payment is used. The system is adapted to provide
benefits or discounts to a transaction when a transponder is
associated with the transaction. The system encourages the use of
transponders and reduces the number of employees necessary to
operate an efficient fueling environment. Furthermore, the system
avoids using cash or other less desirable payment methods to reduce
employee theft and the potential for other crimes often associated
with fueling environments and convenient stores therein.
[0006] The system will determine whether or not a transponder is
being used in association with the transaction and provide a
discount to all or a portion of the transaction based on
transponder use. Other discounts may be applied for other types of
payment.
[0007] Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to
provide a fuel dispensing system for discounting a transaction
associated with a remote communications unit. The system includes
communication electronics for communicating with a remote
communications unit, a fuel dispenser with a customer interface,
and a control system associated with the communication electronics
and the fuel dispenser. The control system is adapted to
communicate with the remote communications unit through the
communication electronics and provide a discount for the
transaction if a remote communications unit is associated with the
transaction. The discount may be for an overall transaction or for
a predefined product or service purchased in the transaction. In
certain situations, the discount may be a reduction in price per
unit volume fuel or any other product purchased through the
customer interface. The control system may provide a discount if
the remote communications unit associated with the transaction is
present and the transaction is a non-cash transaction. Preferably,
there is in an input indicative of a non-cash transaction for
signaling the control system.
[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
method of providing a discount for transponder use in a fueling
environment. The method includes the steps of interrogating a
transponder during a transaction at a fuel dispenser, receiving
indicia from a transponder associated with the transaction, and
providing a discount for a product or service or transaction
ordered at the dispenser when a transponder associated with the
transaction is present.
[0009] These and other aspects of the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the following
description of the preferred embodiments when considered with the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a fueling and retail
environment constructed according to the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2A depicts a vehicle having a vehicle-mounted
transponder constructed according to the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2B depicts a personal transponder integrated into a
debit/credit or smartcard constructed according to the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2C depicts a personal transponder integrated into key
fob constructed according to the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 depicts a fuel dispenser shown constructed according
to the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of a transponder
having separate communication and cryptography electronics
constructed according to the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4B is a schematic representation of transponder having
integrated electronics constructed according to the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of fuel dispenser
electronics constructed according to the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of convenience store
transaction electronics, including a transaction terminal, for a
fueling environment constructed according to the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a quick-serve
restaurant control system for a fueling environment constructed
according to the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a car wash control
system constructed according to the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a central control
system for a fueling environment constructed according to the
present invention.
[0022] FIGS. 10A and 10B are a flow chart representing a basic flow
of a multistage ordering process according to the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 10C is a flow chart representing a basic flow of a
loyalty benefit process according to the present invention.
[0024] FIGS. 11A and 11B are a flow chart representing a basic
interaction with a transponder during a cash transaction according
to the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 11C is a flow chart representing a basic process for
providing a discount for transponder use during a transaction
according to the present invention.
[0026] FIGS. 11D and 11E are a flow chart of a basic process for
providing prepayment on a transponder for subsequent transactions
according to the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 12A is a schematic representation of a side view of a
dispenser having multiple antenna arrangements for providing
directional interrogation fields constructed according to the
present invention.
[0028] FIG. 12B is a schematic representation of a front view of a
dispenser having multiple antenna arrangements for providing
directional interrogation fields constructed according to the
present invention.
[0029] FIGS. 12C and 12D are a flow chart of a basic process for
monitoring the location and type of transponder at a fueling
position according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 13A is an overhead schematic representation of a
fueling environment having antenna arrangements providing various
interrogation fields.
[0031] FIG. 13B is an overhead schematic representation of a
fueling environment having antenna arrangements providing
continuous location monitoring of transponders in the fueling
environment.
[0032] FIGS. 14A and 14B are a flow chart of a basic process for
determining the proximity or location of a transponder with respect
to a particular fueling position at a dispenser according to the
present invention.
[0033] FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a basic control process for
determining transponder location for an embodiment similar to that
depicted in FIG. 13B.
[0034] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a fuel dispenser having
underground antennas constructed according to the present
invention.
[0035] FIG. 17 is an overhead schematic representation of a fuel
dispenser constructed according to the present invention.
[0036] FIGS. 18A and 18B are a flow chart of a basic process for
preconditioning a dispenser followed by secondary transaction
authorization according to the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 19 depicts a preferred process for providing secure
communications between a transponder and a host network through a
fuel dispenser.
[0038] FIG. 20 is a flow chart of a basic transponder interaction
for providing theft deterrence and prevention according to the
present invention.
[0039] FIG. 21 is a flow chart of a basic transponder interaction
for preventing drive-offs according to the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 22 is a flow chart of a basic process for providing
guidelines or limitations for a fueling or purchase transaction
made in association with a transponder according to the present
invention.
[0041] FIG. 23 is a schematic representation of a transponder and
dispenser system for providing a shadow ledger of transponder
transactions constructed according to the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 24 is a flow chart of a basic process for maintaining a
shadow ledger according to the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 25 is a flow chart of a basic process for transaction
tracking throughout numerous fueling environments according to the
present invention.
[0044] FIGS. 26A and 26B are a flow chart of a basic process for
providing predefined preferences to a customer during a transaction
made in association with a transponder according to the present
invention.
[0045] FIG. 27 is a schematic representation of a fuel dispenser
and fuel container for personal transport of fuel.
[0046] FIG. 28 is a flow chart of a basic process for monitoring
and detecting acceptable containers for fueling.
[0047] FIGS. 29A and 29B are a flow chart of a basic process for
providing pre-transaction estimates according to the present
invention.
[0048] FIG. 30 is a flow chart of a basic process for providing a
customer with estimated cost totals of a fueling transaction to
enable a customer to make an informed decision regarding payment at
a cash acceptor of a fuel dispenser.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0049] In the following description, like reference characters
designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several
figures. It should be understood that the illustrations are for the
purpose of describing preferred embodiments of the invention and
are not intended to limit the invention thereto.
[0050] Given the extensive nature of the present application, an
overview of the necessary hardware for the various areas in the
fueling environment will be discussed followed by a description of
the various functional aspects of the system and how the customer
will react and interact with the system during various types of
transactions.
[0051] As best seen in FIG. 1, a fueling and retail environment,
generally designated 10, is shown constructed according to the
present invention. The fueling and retail environment provides
customers 12 the opportunity to purchase fuel for their vehicles 14
as well as other goods and services, such as fast food and car
washes. The fueling and retail environment 10 may include one or
more of a forecourt 16, where the fuel dispensers 18 are located, a
convenience or fuel station store 20, one or more quick-serve
restaurants (QSR) 22, a car wash 24, and a backroom 26. The
backroom 26 is generally the central control area for integrating
or coordinating control of the dispensers 18, convenience store 20,
QSR 22, and car wash 24.
[0052] The convenience store 20 typically includes an inventory of
a wide assortment of products, ranging from beverages and foods to
household goods. The convenience store includes a transaction
terminal or register 30, where a customer 12 may purchase
convenience store products, fuel, car washes or QSR food.
[0053] The QSR 22 generally includes an order pick-up area 32
having a QSR transaction terminal or register 34 located within the
convenience store and a drive-thru terminal and window 36.
Depending on the application, the QSR transaction terminal 34 and
drive-thru terminal 36 may be separated or integrated in any
fashion. Usually, customers are able to place orders at the QSR
transaction terminal 34 in the store as well as pick up orders in
conventional drive-thru style at drive-thru terminal 36.
[0054] The QSR 22 may also include a food preparation area 40, a
food preparation interface 42 for providing order instruction to
QSR food preparers, a drive-thru order placement interface 44 for
placing drive-thru orders in a conventional manner, and a customer
position monitor 46 for determining the location or position of a
customer in line to pick up a QSR order at the drive-thru window
36. Notably, the drive-thru and car wash lanes depicted in FIG. 1
are designed to control the flow of traffic through the respective
lanes and aid to ensure vehicles, and their respective
transponders, pass by the various interrogation points in the
fueling environment as desired.
[0055] The car wash 24 includes a car wash interface 48 that
interacts with the customer and controls the automatic car wash
system (not shown), which may be any suitable automatic car wash.
Preferably, a customer 12 will be able to order a car wash at a
fuel dispenser 18, at the transaction terminal or register 30 of
the convenience store 20, at the QSR transaction terminal 34, or at
the car wash interface 48 directly. Similarly, customers are able
to order fast-food items from the QSR 22 from various locations in
the fueling environment 10, including at the fuel dispensers 18,
drive-thru order placement interface 44, and the in-store QSR
terminal 34.
[0056] Although various overall system and control integration
schemes are available, the four major parts of the fueling
environment 10--forecourt 16, convenience store 20, QSR 22 and car
wash 24--typically interface at the backroom 26 using a central
control system 50. The central control system 50 may include any
number of individual controllers from the various parts of the
fueling environment 10 to provide overall system control and
integration. The central control system 50 may interface with the
fuel dispensers 18, transaction terminal 30, QSR transaction
terminal 34 and the car wash interface 48. Preferably the
drive-thru terminal 36, drive-thru order placement interface 44 and
customer position monitor 46 directly interface with the QSR
terminal 34 in order to integrate the QSR functions prior to
interfacing with the central control system 50. However, those of
ordinary skill in the art will recognize several control variations
capable of implementing an integrated system. Additionally, an
automated vending system 28 may also interface with the central
control system 50 or directly with any one of the other areas of
the fueling environment 10, such as the fuel dispensers 18, in
order to allow a customer 12 to purchase products from the vending
system 28 at a remote location.
[0057] The present invention relates generally to providing remote
communications between the customer 12 or the vehicle 14 and
various parts of the fueling environment briefly described above.
In short, many areas within the fueling environment 10 will be
equipped with communication electronics capable of providing uni-
or bi-directional communications with the customer or vehicle
carrying a remote communications device. The communication
electronics will typically include a transmitter for transmitting
signals to the remote communications device and a receiver for
receiving signals emanating from the remote communications device.
The remote communications device may also include a receiver and
transmitter. The transmitter and receiver of the remote
communications device may separately receive and separately
transmit signals in cooperation with an associated control system
or may be configured so that the transmitter actually operates on
and modifies a signal received from the communication electronics
in the fueling environment 10. The latter embodiment encompasses
traditional transponder-type communication systems wherein the
remote communications device may be either passive or active.
[0058] For the sake of conciseness and readability, the term
"transponder" will be used herein to describe any type of remote
communications device capable of communicating with the
communication electronics of the fueling environment 10. The remote
communications device may include traditional receivers and
transmitters alone or in combination as well as traditional
transponder electronics adapted to respond and/or modify an
original signal to provide a transmit signal. A transponder as
defined herein may provide either unidirectional or bidirectional
communications with the communications electronics of the fueling
environment 10.
[0059] Likewise, the communication electronics associated with the
various aspects of the fueling environment 10 will be called an
"interrogator." An interrogator will generally include a
transmitter and receiver capable of communicating with a
transponder as defined above. Please note that an interrogator, as
defined herein, need not contain both a receiver and a transmitter
for various aspects of the invention.
[0060] With the above in mind, the fueling environment 10 may
include many interrogators of varying capability. These
interrogators may include: dispenser interrogators 52, a store
transaction interrogator 54, a QSR transaction interrogator 56, a
drive-thru pick-up interrogator 58, a drive-thru order interrogator
60, and a drive-thru position interrogator 62. As shown in FIGS.
2A, 2B and 2C, the dispenser interrogator 52 is generally adapted
to communicate with vehicle-mounted transponders 64 and personal
transponder 66. The personal transponder 66 may be mounted on a key
fob 68, a wallet card 70, or any other device typically carried by
the customer 12, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C. FIG. 2A depicts a
vehicle 14 having a vehicle-mounted transponder 64.
[0061] The levels of sophistication of the vehicle-mounted
transponder 64 may vary drastically. The transponder 64 may be
integrated with the vehicle's main computer and control system, or
may simply be a sticker placed on a window or on another part of
the vehicle. The transponder 64 may be active or passive, and may
be adapted to either simply send out an identification number or
carry out high-level communications and have the ability to
process, store and retrieve information. Various features of the
invention will be disclosed in greater detail.
[0062] As best seen in FIG. 3, a fuel dispenser 18 is shown
constructed according to and as part of the present invention. The
dispenser provides a fuel delivery path from an underground storage
tank (not shown) to a vehicle 14, (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A). The
delivery path includes a fuel delivery line 72 having a fuel
metering device 74. The fuel delivery line 72 communicates with a
fuel delivery hose 76 outside of the dispenser 18 and a delivery
nozzle 78. The nozzle 78 provides manual control of fuel delivery
to the vehicle 14.
[0063] The dispenser 18 also includes a dispenser control system 80
having one or more controllers and associated memory 82. The
dispenser control system 80 may receive volume data from the
metering device 74 through cabling 84 as well as provide control of
fuel delivery. The dispenser control system 80 may provide audible
signals to an audio module and speaker 86 in order to provide
various beeps, tones and audible messages to a customer. These
messages may include warnings, instructions and advertising.
[0064] The dispenser 18 is preferably equipped with a payment
acceptor, such as a card reader 88 or cash acceptor 90, along with
a receipt printer 92. With these options, the dispenser control
system 80 may read data from the magnetic strip of a card inserted
in the card reader 88 or receive cash from a customer and
communicate such information to the central control system 50 (as
shown in FIG. 1), such as the G-site controller sold by Gilbarco
Inc., 7300 West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, N.C. The central
control system 50 typically communicates with a remote network 94,
such as a card verification authority, to ascertain whether a
transaction proposed to be charged to or debited from an account
associated with the card inserted in the card reader 88 is
authorized.
[0065] The dispenser 18 will include one or more types of displays,
preferably one or more alpha-numeric displays 96 together with a
high-resolution graphics display 100. The graphics display 100 will
generally have an associated key pad 102 adjacent to the display or
integrated with the display to provide a touch interface. The
dispenser may include an additional, auxiliary key pad 104
associated with the card reader 88 for entering secret codes or
personal identification numbers (PIN's). Notably, the displays 96,
100 and key pads 102, 104 may be integrated into a single device
and/or touch interface. The dispenser control system 80 is
preferably comparable to the microprocessor-based control systems
used in CRIND (card reader in dispenser) and TRIND (tag or
transponder reader in dispenser) type units sold by Gilbarco Inc.
under the trademark THE ADVANTAGE.
[0066] As noted, the dispenser control system 80 may include or be
associated with dispenser communication electronics referred to as
interrogator 52 for providing remote unidirectional or
bidirectional communications between a transponder and the
dispenser. These transponders may incorporate the Micron
Microstamp.TM. produced by Micron Communications, Inc., 8000 South
Federal Way, Boise, Id. 83707-0006. The Micron Microstamp.TM.
engine is an integrated system implementing a communications
platform referred to as the Microstamp.TM. standard on a single
CMOS chip. A detailed description of the Microstamp.TM. engine and
the method of communication is provided in its data sheets in the
Micron Microstamp.TM. Standard Programmers Reference Manual
provided by Micron Communications, Inc. These references and the
information provided by Micron Communications on their web site at
http://www.mncc.micron.com are incorporated herein by reference.
Although the preferred communications method includes radio
frequencies in the microwave range, these communications may
include other RF, infrared, acoustic or other known remote
communication methods acceptable for use in a fueling environment.
Additionally, the dispenser 18 may include one or more antennas 108
associated with the dispenser interrogator 52.
[0067] Attention is drawn to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,621,913; 5,608,739;
5,583,850; 5,572,226; 5,558,679; 5,557,780; 5,552,743; 5,539,775;
5,500,650; 5,497,140; 5,479,416; 5,448,110; 5,365,551; 5,323,150
and 5,302,239, owned by Micron Technology, Inc. the disclosures of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0068] Turning now to FIG. 4A, the preferred embodiment of a
transponder is shown. Transponder communication electronics 110,
adapted to provide remote communications with the various
interrogators, include a transmitter 114 and receiver 116 having
associated antennas 118, 120. The transmitter 114 and receiver 116
operate to transmit and receive data to and from an interrogator.
The communication electronics 110 may include a battery power
supply 122, a communication controller 124 associated with a memory
126, having software 128 necessary to operate the communication
electronics 110 and optional cryptography electronics 112.
[0069] Serial communications between the communication electronics
110 and cryptography electronics 112 is provided via the
input/output (I/O) ports 130, 140 associated with the respective
electronics. The communication electronics 110 provide a signal
from a clock 132 to the I/O port 140 of the cryptography
electronics 112. The cryptography electronics 112 include a
controller 134, memory 136 and software 138 necessary to encrypt
and decrypt data, as well as provide any additional operations. The
memory 126, 136 may include random access memory (RAM), read only
memory (ROM), or a combination thereof. Notably, the communication
controller 124 and the cryptography controller 134 may be
integrated into one controller. Similarly, the software and memory
of the communication and cryptography modules may be integrated or
embodied in hardware.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 4B, the communication and cryptography
electronics, as well as any associated controllers, may be
integrated into a single controller system and/or integrated
circuit. In such cases, a single controller 142 is associated with
memory 144 having software 146 as necessary for operation. In such
an integrated system, the controller 142 will carry out any
cryptography functions as well as any other functions necessary for
operation.
[0071] In the preferred embodiment, the communications controller
124, 142 specifically provides a spread-spectrum processor
associated with an 8-bit microcontroller. The memory 126, 144
includes 256 bytes of RAM. The receiver 116 operates in conjunction
with the spread-spectrum processor and is capable of receiving
direct sequence, spread-spectrum signals having a center frequency
of 2.44175 GHz. The transmitter 114 is preferably a DPSK modulated
back-scatter transmitter transmitting differential phase shift key
(DPSK) modulated back scatter at 2.44175 GHz with a 596 KHz
sub-carrier. The various interrogators in the fueling environment
10 are adapted to receive and transmit the signals to properly
communicate with the transponders. For additional information on a
transponder/interrogator system providing for highly secure
transactions between a transponder and a host authorization system
through a dispenser, attention is drawn to application Ser. No.
08/895,417 filed Jul. 16, 1997, entitled CRYPTOGRAPHY SECURITY FOR
REMOTE DISPENSER TRANSACTIONS in the name of William S. Johnson,
Jr.; application Ser. No. 08/895,282 filed Jul. 16, 1997, entitled
MEMORY AND PASSWORD ORGANIZATION FOR REMOTE DISPENSER TRANSACTIONS
in the name of William S. Johnson, Jr.; and application Ser. No.
08/895,225 filed Jul. 16, 1997, entitled PROTOCOL FOR REMOTE
DISPENSER TRANSACTIONS in the name of William S. Johnson, Jr. The
disclosures of these applications are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0072] FIG. 5 shows a basic schematic overview of the dispenser
electronics wherein a dispenser control system 80 includes a
controller associated with the memory 82 to interface with the
central control system 50 through an interface 146. The dispenser
control system 80 provides a graphical user interface with key pad
102 and display 100. Audio/video electronics 86 is adapted to
interface with the dispenser control system 80 and/or an auxiliary
audio/video source 156 to provide advertising, merchandising and
multimedia presentations to a customer in addition to basic
transaction functions. The graphical user interface provided by the
dispenser allows customers to purchase goods and services other
than fuel at the dispenser. The customer may purchase a car wash
and/or order food from the QSR while fueling the vehicle.
Preferably, the customer is provided a video menu at the display
100 to facilitate selection of the various services, goods and food
available for purchase. The card reader 88 and cash acceptor 90
allow the customer to pay for any of the services, goods or food
ordered at the dispenser while the printer 92 will provide a
written record of the transaction. The dispenser control system 80
is operatively associated with a dispenser interrogator 52, which
has a receiver 142 and a transmitter 144. The receiver and
transmitter typically associate with one or more antennas 108 to
provide remote communications with a transponder. The dispenser
control system 80 communicates with the central control system 50
in the backroom 26.
[0073] In like fashion, the convenience store transaction
electronics shown in FIG. 6, and more specifically the transaction
terminal register 30, include a store transaction controller 152,
associated memory 154, the interrogator 54, and a display and key
pad 150, 160 forming a transaction terminal interface. The
transaction controller 152 interacts with the central control
system 50 through the central site control interface 160. The
interrogator 54 includes a receiver 162 and a transmitter 164, both
of which are associated with one or more antennas 166. The
transaction terminal 30 is adapted to provide typical transaction
functions of a cash register and a card authorization terminal in
addition to communicating with transponders within the store and/or
proximate to the terminal. The communications between the
transponder and the store transaction terminal are generally
related to transactional and customer identification and
monitoring, although other features will become apparent to those
skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure.
[0074] Attention is now drawn to FIG. 7 and the schematic outline
of the QSR electronics shown therein. The QSR will generally have a
controller 168 and associated memory 170 capable of interfacing
with the central control system 50 through a central site control
interface 172. As with many QSR's, a transaction terminal or
register 174 is provided having a key pad 176 and display 178. The
QSR transaction terminal 174 is used by a QSR operator to take
customer orders from within the store in conventional fashion. The
orders are either verbally or electronically communicated to the
food preparation area 40 through the QSR controller 168. The QSR
transaction terminal 174 is associated with interrogator 56 having
a receiver 177 and a transmitter 179 associated with one or more
antennas 175. The food preparation area will typically have a food
preparation interface 42 having a display 180 and a key pad 182.
The food preparation interface 42 may be a terminal run from the
QSR controller 168 or may contain a food preparation controller 184
within the food preparation interface 42. However the system is
arranged, order information is passed from one of the order
interfaces to the food preparation display 180 to alert food
preparers of an order.
[0075] In a QSR embodiment providing drive-thru capability, a
remote order entry interface 186 is provided. The order entry
interface 186 may include a simple menu board and audio intercom
system 188, or in a more sophisticated embodiment, may provide for
bi-directional video intercom using the audio intercom 188 and a
video system 190 allowing the customer and QSR operator to audibly
and visually interact with one another during order placement. The
order entry interface 186 may also include an interrogator 60
having a receiver 192 and a transmitter 194, associated with one or
more antennas 195, for communicating with a transponder of a
customer when the customer is placing an order at the order entry
interface 186.
[0076] Typically, orders placed at the order entry interface 186
are sent to the order pickup interface 196, which is normally
situated proximate to the pick-up window 36 at the end of the
drive-thru lane. The order pick-up interface 196 will have an audio
system 198 to provide the audio intercom and an optional video
system 200 if video intercom with the order entry interface 186 is
desired. The order pick-up interface 196 also has an associated
interrogator 58 having a receiver 202 and a transmitter 204
associated with one or more antennas 206.
[0077] Unlike existing QSR's, the present invention may include a
customer position detector 208, preferably placed somewhere along
the drive-thru lane to detect when a customer is at or is past that
position en route to pick up an order, which may have been placed
at a fuel dispenser 18. The customer position detector 208 is
associated with the drive-thru position interrogator 62 and
includes a receiver 210 and a transmitter 212 associated with one
or more antennas 214.
[0078] FIG. 8 depicts the basic outline of the car wash
electronics, which includes a controller 216, memory 218, a key pad
220, a display 222 and the interrogator 51. The key pad 220 and
display 222 combine with the controller 216 to provide a customer
interface 48. The interrogator 51 includes a receiver 224 and a
transmitter 226 associated with one or more antennas 228.
Additionally, the car wash controller 216 preferably communicates
with the central control system 50 in the store via a central site
control interface 230. The interrogator 51 will typically
communicate with a customer transponder to automatically authorize
a car wash previously paid for at the dispenser or inside the
store. The key pad may be used to insert a secret code or other
information to select a type of wash or otherwise authorize the car
wash.
[0079] FIG. 9 generally depicts the central control system 50 found
in the backroom 26 of the fueling environment 10. The central
control system 50 may include one or more controllers 232
associated with memory 234. The central control system 50 may
include multiple interfaces with the various areas in the fueling
environment 10. These interfaces include the car wash interface
230, dispenser interface 146, QSR interface 172 and the vending
interface 236 connected to an automated vending machine 28.
Additionally, the central controller 232 may have a dedicated
network or authorization interface 238 connected to a host
transaction network 94 for authorizing credit and debit
transactions and the like. An Internet interface may also be
provided for transactions and other information relating to
operation, advertising, merchandising and general inventory and
management functions.
[0080] The dedicated authorization interface and/or Internet
interface may operate on a dedicated service line or a telephone
system 242. Furthermore, the central control system 50 may have a
direct operator interface 244 associated with the controller 232 to
allow an operator to interact with the control system. In more
advanced embodiments, a central positioning interface 246
associated with multiple antennas 248 may be used to determine
transponder position and location throughout the fueling
environment. Those skilled in the art will be aware of a multitude
of positioning and locating techniques, such as triangulation,
wherein various characteristics of a signal emitted from the
transponder are measured and monitored to determine movement as
well as precise location. The antennas 248 associated with the
central positioning interface 246 may take the place of or act in
conjunction with the various antennas throughout the fueling
environment to locate and monitor movement of the transponders in
the fueling environment. Attention is drawn to application Ser. No.
08/966,237 entitled TRANSPONDER DISTINCTION IN A FUELING
ENVIRONMENT filed Nov. 7, 1997, in the name of William S. Johnson,
Jr. and application Ser. No. 08/759,733 filed Dec. 6, 1996,
entitled INTELLIGENT FUELING in the name of Hartsell, et al. The
entire disclosure of these two patent applications is incorporated
herein by reference.
[0081] Multistage Ordering
[0082] One of the many unique aspects of the present invention is
providing for monitoring customer position throughout the fueling
environment in order to associate orders placed at the fuel
dispenser with the particular customer that placed the order at the
appropriate receiving point, such as the QSR drive-thru terminal
and window 36, QSR transaction terminal 34 in the store, or, in the
case of a car wash, at the car wash interface 48. In addition to
associating the customer picking up the order with the appropriate
order, the QSR can monitor or detect the position of the customer
in the drive-thru line or elsewhere in the fueling environment to
determine when to start order preparation.
[0083] For example, during the fueling operation, the customer may
decide to order a few items from the QSR menu displayed at the
dispenser 18. As the customer enters the order, the order is
associated with the transponder carried by the customer or mounted
on the customer's vehicle. The customer may choose to pay for the
order along with the fuel at the dispenser, at the order pick-up
place at the drive-thru window, or at one of the in-store registers
associated with the QSR or the convenience store. Continuing with
our example and assuming the transaction was paid for at the
dispenser along with the fuel, the customer will enter his vehicle
and proceed to drive around the fuel station store along the
drive-thru lane and pass the customer position monitor 46. As the
customer approaches the customer position monitor 46, the
drive-thru position interrogator 62 will receive a signal from the
customer transponder indicating the customer is at a known position
in the drive-thru lane. At this point, the QSR control system 168
will alert the food preparation area 40 to prepare the order and
indicate to the order pick-up interface and controller 196 the
position of the customer in the drive-thru lane. Once the customer
reaches the order pick-up window, the order pick-up interrogator
will determine the presence of the customer transponder and
associate the customer's order accordingly so that the drive-thru
window operator can deliver the freshly prepared order to the
correct customer. Associating the customer with the appropriate
order in a fueling environment having a QSR is quite different from
traditional QSR drive-thru systems. With QSR's in a fueling
environment, orders for pick up at the drive-thru window, or within
the store for that matter, may be placed in a different sequence
than the sequence in which the orders are actually picked up. The
reason for the possible discrepancy between order placement and
order pick up arises because orders can be placed at several
locations, including the fuel dispenser and the traditional order
entry interface 44. In particular, those customers placing orders
at the dispenser will most likely intermingle in the drive-thru
line with those placing orders at the order entry interface 44. The
present invention uses transponders to appropriately associate
orders placed at different locations with the appropriate customer
at a common pick-up location.
[0084] With this in mind, attention is drawn to the flow chart of
FIGS. 10A and 10B representing the basic flow of various multistage
ordering processes. The process begins (block 500) when the
dispenser interrogator 52 receives a signal from a transponder 12,
14 and the dispenser control system 80 forwards transponder
identification indicia (ID) to the central control system 50 for
authorization (block 502). Authorization may occur locally at the
central site controller 232 or at a remote host authorization
network. The information to be authorized is generally financial or
account information and can either be transmitted with the
transponder ID or stored at the central control system 50 or the
host network 94 in association with the transponder ID. In the
latter case, either the host network 94 or the central control
system 50 will associate the ID with the stored account information
and then authorize the transponder based on the correlated account
information. Preferably, the transponder is read and authorized as
the customer and/or vehicle approaches or initially stops at the
fueling position and preferably, at least, before a transaction is
initiated to increase transaction efficiency. As the customer fuels
the vehicle, the dispenser may display various types of information
including advertising and instructional information. Preferably,
the dispenser 18 will display options for ordering food items from
the QSR or ordering a car wash at the car wash 24 (block 504). The
dispenser 18 will determine whether an order is placed (block 506).
The dispenser 18 will receive any orders placed by the customer
(block 508) and associate the order with the transponder in some
fashion (block 510). Typically, the order is associated with a
transponder by (1) associating the order with the transponder ID at
one of the control systems, (2) transmitting and storing a code
associated with the order on the transponder, or (3) actually
storing the order on the transponder. Those of ordinary skill in
the art will recognize that there are many variations available for
associating an order with a transponder. These variations are
considered within the scope of this disclosure and the claims that
follow.
[0085] Although there are various options, two general methods for
associating an order with a transponder will be discussed below.
With the first, no information is transmitted to the transponder
relating to the order. Instead, the electronics at the dispenser
18, central control system 50 or the QSR 22 stores the order
information and associates the order with the transponder ID. When
one of the interrogators subsequently reads the transponder ID, the
pertinent system will correlate the order with the transponder ID.
The second method involves writing information to the transponder
at the dispenser 18 and subsequently transmitting that information
to one of the system interrogators for authorization or order
identification. The information written to the transponder may
range from a code for identification authorization purposes to the
complete order placed at the dispenser.
[0086] Returning to FIG. 10A, the basic flow of both of the
above-discussed methods are shown. In cases where one of the
control systems associates an order based on the transponder ID,
the customer order is transferred to the QSR controller 108 through
the central control system 50 (block 512). The dispenser 18 will
effect payment for the transaction (typically adding the QSR
purchase total to the fueling charge) and the QSR controller 168
will alert the food preparation area to prepare the order (block
514).
[0087] In a basic environment, the QSR order pick-up interface 198
will monitor for the presence of a transponder through the
drive-thru pick-up interrogator 58 or the in-store QSR transaction
terminal interrogator 56 (block 516). If a transponder is not
detected, the systems continue to monitor for a transponder (block
518). Once a transponder is detected, the transponder ID is
received (block 520) and the transponder ID is associated with the
appropriate order (block 522). At this point, the QSR operator
located at the pick-up window or the in-store transaction terminal
is informed of the order corresponding to the customer at the
window or terminal (block 524) and the fueling and retail
transaction for that particular customer ends (block 526).
[0088] Alternatively, once a customer places an order and the
dispenser 18 receives the order (block 508), and the order is
associated with the transponder (block 510), the dispenser 18 may
transmit order indicia, such as a code for the order itself, to the
transponder for storage (block 528). Next, the dispenser 18 will
effect payment for the transaction as discussed above (block 530).
In the more basic embodiment discussed above, the QSR interrogators
associated with the QSR window or in-store terminal will monitor
for the presence of a transponder (block 516 and 518), receive the
transponder order indicia (block 518), and associate the order with
the indicia received from the transponder (block 522). The operator
is then informed of the order for that particular customer (block
524).
[0089] In any of the above embodiments, the customer position
detector 46 may be used to alert QSR operators of the approach and
location in the drive-thru line of a particular customer. For the
sake of clarity, the process of FIG. 10A only depicts using the
customer position detector 46 in a process where order indicia is
transmitted to the transponder. Please note that using the customer
position detector 46 may be used in any of the embodiments, as
those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate.
[0090] Once the order is placed, received and associated with the
transponder in normal fashion (blocks 500-510), indicia of the
order is transmitted to the transponder (block 528) and the
transaction is effected (block 530) in normal fashion. At this
point, the customer position detector 46 will monitor for the
presence of a transponder via the interrogator 62 (blocks 532 and
534). Once a transponder is detected, the customer position
detector 46 will forward the transponder indicia to the food
preparation area 40 through the QSR controller 108. This allows for
the food preparation operators to timely prepare a customer order
based on the customer's approach to the pick-up window (block 536).
This information may also be sent to the pick-up operator to
indicate customer position. The customer will proceed along the
drive-thru lane until the pick-up window is approached where the
transponder is detected by the order pick-up interrogator 58
(blocks 516 and 518). The transponder ID or indicia is received by
the QSR electronics, and the operator is informed of the order
corresponding to the customer at the window (blocks 522-526).
[0091] Although there are numerous variations to multistage
ordering, the important aspects of the invention are associating a
transponder with an order placed by a customer at the fuel
dispenser and subsequently using information from the transponder
to reassociate the order with that particular transponder.
Optionally, an additional interrogation stage may provide a further
alert to a QSR operator of the approach of a customer to initiate
food preparation or simply indicate the position of the customer in
line.
[0092] The multistage ordering works equally well with QSR's and
car wash systems. When a car wash is ordered at the dispenser, the
particular car wash ordered is associated with the transponder at
the dispenser and subsequently reassociated when the customer
approaches the car wash area 24 and is interrogated by the car wash
interrogator 51. In the preferred embodiment, the dispenser
operates in conjunction with the central control system 50 to
provide authorization of the car wash purchased at the dispenser.
When the customer is at the car wash 24, the customer's transponder
is interrogated for an ID or a code, which the car wash controller
and/or the central control system 50 recognizes as preauthorized.
If additional security is necessary on any of these embodiments,
the customer may receive a code or other indicia, which they are
required to enter or submit when the corresponding goods or
services are received.
[0093] Furthermore, the fuel dispenser 18 is not the only point of
sale where ordering may take place. A customer having a transponder
may, for instance, order a car wash in conjunction with placing an
order at the in-store QSR terminal or the convenience store
terminal while purchasing food or other merchandise. The
interrogators at either of these terminals can just as easily
associate the car wash with the customer transponder and operate
through the central control system 50 to subsequently reassociate
the customer and the car wash ordered at the car wash interface 48.
The multistage ordering disclosed herein provides a solution for
keeping track of various transactions in a fueling environment
where customer orders are picked up in locations separate from
where they are placed and very likely may not be picked up in the
order they were placed.
[0094] Loyalty Benefits
[0095] The present invention may also be configured to provide
various types of loyalty benefits based on past and/or current
transactions. Loyalty benefits will be provided to a customer in
order to encourage subsequent return to a particular fueling
environment or one of an associated group of environments. The
benefit may also encourage the purchase of additional products
during the current or a subsequent transaction. The benefits may
include cash rebates or discounts providing a type of electronic
couponing to enhance merchandising and marketing efforts. A loyalty
point may be earned by a customer for each transaction, transaction
amount, or type or quantity of a particular product or service. For
example, a loyalty point may be earned for each gallon of gas
purchased or for a fill-up requiring eight or more gallons of gas.
The store operators have tremendous flexibility in determining the
various criteria for earning loyalty points. Additionally, the
loyalty benefits or points are preferably redeemed by a customer in
part, or in whole, on subsequent visits to the same or an
associated fueling environment. Redeeming points at a subsequent
transaction provides an incentive for a customer to return to
environments participating in the benefit program. Although
redeeming points on a subsequent purchase is preferred, benefits
may be made immediately available based solely on the current
transaction. Furthermore, the benefits may be based upon current
and prior transactions, and allow for both current and subsequent
benefit. The basic flow of the process for providing such benefits
is shown in FIG. 10C.
[0096] The process begins (block 540) when a transponder is
interrogated (block 542). Preferably, indicia, including
identification indicia, is received from the transponder (block
544). Once the relevant controller receives the transponder
indicia, one of two events typically occurs. The first option is to
receive loyalty information, which is included in the transponder
indicia, directly from the transponder. Optionally, the controller
may use the transponder indicia, preferably identification indicia,
to look up benefit information, including loyalty points, stored in
an associated database anywhere within the fueling environment or
at a remote network (block 546). Thus, loyalty information may be
stored on the transponder and transmitted to the relevant control
system or accessed from virtually any location based on some type
of identification provided by the transponder.
[0097] At this point, the customer is engaging in a transaction and
the relevant control systems will monitor such transaction (block
548) and determine whether to provide a benefit based on the
current transaction (block 550). If a benefit is to be provided
based on the current transaction, the controller will determine how
to apply the current benefit information (block 552). The
controller basically has two options. The controller may store the
benefit information on the transponder or the relevant database
(block 554), or apply the current benefit information to the
current transaction (block 556).
[0098] Regardless of whether a benefit is provided based on the
current transaction, the controller will preferably determine
whether or not to apply a stored benefit to the current transaction
based on prior transactions (block 558). If a stored benefit is not
available or the controller is not adapted to provide such benefit,
the process ends (block 560). If a stored benefit is available for
application to the current transaction, the transaction is updated
and the appropriate database in the transponder or associated with
the controller is updated (block 562). Typically, the benefit is
applied to the current transaction at this time, and the process is
ended (block 560).
[0099] The loyalty benefits capable of being provided by this
process allow tremendous flexibility and automatically implement
incentives to increase customer loyalty and improve business.
[0100] Cash Customers
[0101] Another important aspect of the present invention is
providing refunds and loyalty points or benefits to cash customers.
Traditionally, service stations were not able to monitor cash
transactions or cash customers for merchandising efforts or to
provide these customers with benefits that were provided to card
customers. The card customers provided the service station
operators with information to determine what types of purchasing
activities specific customers had in addition to providing the
customer with various benefits based on prior purchases and
transactions. For example, a system comparable to the central
control system 50, alone or in conjunction with a remote host
network 94, could track customer purchases and provide a benefit
based on a purchase type or an amount of a series of purchases.
Prior to applicant's invention, cash customers were basically
"invisible" to these types of merchandising aspects of the fuel
station environment.
[0102] Additionally, efforts have been made to provide cash
acceptors at the fuel dispensers 18 to enable customers to pay cash
at the dispenser in order to expedite the fueling transaction for
the benefit of the station operator and customer. The difficulty in
using cash acceptors is providing the customer proper change when
the amount of fuel dispensed differs from the cash amount inserted
into the cash acceptor 90. Although the fuel dispenser 18 is a
sophisticated instrument, it is not economical to further include a
change machine at each fueling position of each dispenser. Thus,
cash acceptor technology has not caught on in most fueling
environments. Furthermore, requiring a customer to enter the store
to receive his or her cash refund or change defeats the purpose of
paying at the dispenser. Similarly, since the customer's vehicle
tank ullage is unknown, fueling to a prepaid dollar amount is often
impractical and inconvenient to the customer.
[0103] The present invention provides a solution to the above
problems by keeping track of cash customers and their respective
refunds and loyalty points using transponder technology. A cash
customer either carries a transponder or has a transponder mounted
on his or her vehicle, and the transponder is used to associate any
refunds or loyalty benefits with the otherwise invisible cash
customer. The customer may use the cash acceptor 90 of the fuel
dispenser 18 and receive any change as credit on or associated with
the transponder. The transponder may simply provide an ID and the
central control system 50 or remote host network 94 will keep track
of the refund associated with that ID for later credit.
Alternatively, the refund amount or credit may be directly
transmitted to and stored on the transponder wherein that amount is
transmitted to a dispenser for credit on a subsequent fueling
transaction or to a cash dispensing machine at the site.
[0104] With this invention, customer loyalty and merchandising
programs are made available using a transponder associated with a
cash customer. Whether the customer pays at the dispenser or at one
of the registers inside the store, interrogators placed at the
dispensers, registers or anywhere else in the store can interact
with the customer transponder in order to keep track of loyalty
points, benefit information or simply monitor the customer's
purchasing habits. This information is preferably stored at the
central control system 50, at a remote host network 94 or directly
on the transponder.
[0105] Attention is drawn to FIGS. 11A and 11B depicting a flow
chart representing basic interaction with the transponder of the
cash customer. Typically, a new transaction begins when a cash
customer having a personal transponder 12 or vehicle mounted
transponder 14 drives up to a fueling position at one of the
dispensers 18 and begins fueling (block 600). The customer will
generally start a new transaction by beginning fueling (block 602).
This is typically accomplished by initially interacting with the
fuel dispenser user interface comprising the key pad and display
102, 100 to select a cash or credit transaction. The dispenser
control system 80 will determine if the customer is making a cash
transaction (block 604) and relay that information to the central
control system 50. Although determining whether or not the customer
is conducting a cash transaction occurs at the beginning of the
fueling process in FIGS. 11A and 11B, this determination can be
made anytime during the fueling operation and at virtually any
payment location, including the register or transaction terminal 30
in the store.
[0106] At this point, the dispenser control system 80, operating in
conjunction with the dispenser interrogator 52, will retrieve the
transponder ID (block 606). The dispenser control system 80 and
central control system 50 will operate to retrieve information
relating to prior transactions which may affect the current
transaction. This information may be cash refunds from previous
transactions, credits or loyalty points, or other benefits based on
prior transactions. These benefits may include electronic
couponing, wherein discounts for future purchases may be provided
for any variety of merchandising or marketing reasons. Depending on
system configuration, this information may be stored on the
transponder, or at any of the control systems in the fueling
environment, such as the central control system, in addition to
being maintained at a remote host network 94 system communicating
with other stations. When the information is stored on the
transponder or at the remote network, loyalty programs and refund
data is made easily attainable by other fueling environment
systems. Thus, the dispenser 18 may retrieve prior transaction
information from the transponder (block 608) or retrieve this
information from a database stored at one of many control systems
associated with the dispenser (block 610). Regardless of system
architecture, some type of identification indicia is necessary to
associate a particular customer's information with a corresponding
transponder. Subsequently, one of the controllers associated with
the dispenser such as the dispenser control system 80, convenience
store transaction controller 152 or central site controller 232,
will determine a transaction subtotal (block 612). The controller
will apply any prior refunds, loyalty points or benefits the
customer has accumulated due to the current transaction and/or any
prior transactions (block 614). A new transaction total is then
determined (block 616).
[0107] Next, payment is received at one of the in-store registers,
such as the in-store transaction terminal 30, or at the cash
acceptor 90 of the dispenser 18 (block 618). Notably, initial
dispenser authorization may depend upon receiving the cash payment
at the beginning of the fueling operation and before fueling
begins. The dispenser control system 80, or one of the associated
controllers, will subsequently determine a refund amount and any
loyalty points or benefits accumulated based on the current
transaction and any earlier transactions, accordingly. The station
operator has tremendous freedom in determining the criteria for
issuing benefits and points based on a single transaction or a
series of transactions. Depending on whether the information is
stored directly on a transponder or elsewhere, the refund and
loyalty information must be transmitted to the transponder through
the appropriate interrogator, such as the dispenser interrogator 52
or the store transaction interrogator 54. The appropriate
interrogator primarily depends on where the actual cash transaction
takes place. If the information is not stored on the transponder,
the information will be stored at one of the local control systems
or the host network 94 (block 624). Once the transaction is over,
the system will begin anew by waiting for another
transponder-carrying cash customer (block 626).
[0108] Discount For Transponder Use
[0109] Another aspect of the invention is providing a system
capable of applying a discount to a transaction when a transponder
or other preferred method of payment is used. The system is
preferably adapted to provide benefits or discounts to a
transaction when a transponder is associated with the transaction
to encourage transponder use, while avoiding cash payment or other
less desirable payment methods.
[0110] Attention is now directed to FIG. 11C where a basic process
for discounting a transponder related transaction is shown. As the
process begins (block 630), a transponder is interrogated (block
632) and transponder indicia is received by one of the control
systems in the fueling environment (block 634). The control system
will proceed with the transaction (block 636) and will ultimately
determine what type of method will be used for the transaction and
what, if any, discount will be provided based on the chosen method
of payment.
[0111] Initially, the control system will determine whether or not
a transponder is being used in association with the transaction
(block 638). If a transponder is being used, the control system
will provide a first discount rate to all or a portion of the
transaction (block 640), and proceed to determine transaction
totals (block 650). If a transponder is not used in association
with the transaction, the control system may determine whether or
not a card, such as debit, credit or smartcard, is used with the
transaction (block 642). If a card is used in association with the
transaction, the control system may provide a second discount for
all or a portion of the transaction (block 644), and proceed to
determine transaction totals (block 650).
[0112] If there is no transponder or card associated with the
transaction, the control system may determine whether or not the
transaction is a cash transaction (block 646). This may be by
default if no card or transponder is used, or may result from the
customer selecting a cash transaction or an operator indicating a
cash transaction at a POS position. If a cash transaction is
determined, the control system is configured to provide a third
discount rate to all or part of the transaction (block 648) and
proceed to determine transaction totals (block 650).
[0113] The system operator may elect to provide different rates for
the first, second and third discount rates associated with the
transponder, card and cash transactions, respectively. Furthermore,
the operator may elect not to provide a discount for all or any
combination of the various methods of payment. Preferably, a
greater discount is provided for transactions using a transponder
in order to encourage transponder use with transactions. Similarly,
to avoid the use of cash transactions, the system operator may
decide not to provide any discount for cash transactions. Once the
transaction totals are determined (block 650) and the appropriate
discount rates are applied, payment is received (block 652) and the
process comes to an end (block 654). Those skilled in the art
should quickly recognize the benefits inherent in certain payment
methods to improve transaction efficiencies and encourage methods
of payment beneficial to the station operator.
[0114] Cash Prepay With Transponder
[0115] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
system and method for providing a prepaid transponder capable of
being used with dispensers and other POS terminals in a fueling
environment. The present invention allows a customer to prepay for
subsequent transactions at a terminal capable of communicating with
the transponder in order to store the amount of prepayment on the
transponder, or at least associate the amount of prepayment in a
database associated with the terminal and any future transaction
locations, such as a fuel dispenser.
[0116] Attention is directed to FIGS. 11D and 11E where a basic
process for using a prepaid transponder is shown. When the basic
process begins (block 660), a transponder is interrogated at a cash
or other payment receiving terminal (block 662). The terminal will
receive cash or other value (block 664), and either transmit to the
transponder a value for the cash or other prepayment received or
store that value in a database associated with the controller
(block 666).
[0117] At this point, the transponder has value (or is associated
with value) and is capable of being interrogated at various POS
terminals. In this example, the POS is an interface at a fuel
dispenser. During the transaction, the dispenser will interrogate
the transponder (block 668) and authorize a transaction within the
stored credit or value of the transponder (block 670). The
transaction will proceed (block 672) and the appropriate control
system will determine that the values incurred during a transaction
remain less than the value of the transponder (block 674). As the
transaction is monitored, the control system will stop or limit the
transaction (block 684) before the value of the transponder is
exceeded. As long as the transaction remains less than the value of
the transponder, the transaction will proceed until completed
(block 676). Once the transaction is complete, the control system
will determine transaction totals (block 678) and transmit such
totals to the transponder for accounting (block 680).
Alternatively, these totals may be sent to a database corresponding
to the respective transponder in order to keep track of prepayment
and associated totals. The accounting may be done at the
transponder, wherein the value of the transaction is received by
the transponder and the appropriate calculations are completed.
Alternatively, the control system may simply update the value
associated with the transponder by either transmitting this value
directly to the transponder or storing it in the databases
associated with the transponder.
[0118] Preferably, the control system will interact with the
transponder or the database maintaining the value associated with
the transponder to determine the remaining transponder totals or
value (block 682), and display such totals to the customer (block
686). These totals may include the amount of prior transactions,
the remaining value of the transponder before the transaction, or
the value of the transponder after the transaction. The system
operator will have great flexibility in deciding the various
accounting information made available to the customer. Preferably,
the information will be sufficient to allow the customer to
recognize when the transponder value is approaching zero (0) or a
predefined threshold to alert the customer that it is time to add
value to the transponder.
[0119] For example, the control system may monitor the transponder
value to determine whether that value is less than or equal to a
predefined value, such as zero, or any other desired threshold. If
the value is less than or equal to the set value, the control
system may be configured to alert the customer of the current
transponder value and that it has dropped below the threshold
amount (block 690) and the process ends (block 692). If the
transponder value is greater than the threshold, the system
operator may elect not to provide a warning to the customer and end
the process (block 692).
[0120] Notably, during any portion of the process described above,
the control system may allow the customer to add value to the
transponder at the current transaction terminal. For instance, the
customer may use the cash acceptor or card reader at the fuel
dispenser to add value to the transponder. The customer will simply
determine an amount to add to the transponder, and the dispenser
interrogator will simply interrogate the transponder and transmit
the relevant added value information to the transponder or receive
the transponder ID and update an associated database accordingly
(blocks 662 666). Storing this value should be interpreted to
include adding to or subtracting from an existing value or any
other accounting necessary for operation.
[0121] Transponder Monitoring and Location Detection
[0122] In several aspects of the present invention, it is desirable
to determine the location and/or proximity of a transponder,
whether vehicle mounted or carried by a customer, with respect to a
specific fueling position of a dispenser or interrogation system.
In other aspects, it is desirable to track the transponder
throughout the fueling environment 10. Although the embodiments
described herein use the dispenser as a reference, any of the
interrogation systems in the fueling environment may be adapted to
determine transponder location and/or proximity.
[0123] Determining location and proximity of a transponder with
respect to a fuel dispenser in a fueling environment presents a
unique problem because the fueling environment includes multiple
dispensers with multiple positions. At any given time, numerous
transponders will be in or moving about the fueling environment and
the many interrogation fields associated with the various
interrogators. The dispensers and associated control systems must
distinguish between personal and vehicle-mounted transponders used
to carry out a transaction from transponders attached to a vehicle
driving by the fueling position or carried by a person walking by
the dispenser. Fueling environments must be able to avoid
communicating with a second transponder during a transaction with a
first transponder.
[0124] Texas Instruments (TI) has made an attempt at implementing a
system in a fueling environment capable of communicating with
transponders. The beta sites for the Texas Instruments system are
believed to communicate with transponders using an interrogator
transmitting an interrogation signal having a 134 kHz carrier.
Certain transponders within range of the 134 kHz signal will
transmit a signal back to the interrogator using either a 134 kHz
or a 903 MHz carrier.
[0125] The TI system uses two different types of RFID devices:
handheld and car mount transponders. The handheld transponder
transmits and receives radio communications at 134 kHz. The car
mount transponder receives at 134 kHz and transmits at 903 MHz. The
dispenser is equipped with a large loop antenna adapted to transmit
at 134 kHz and a smaller antenna configured to receive at 903 MHz.
The smaller 903 MHz antenna is mounted with the large loop antenna
at the top of the dispenser. The TI system also requires an antenna
mounted on the dispenser face and adapted to transmit and receive
at 134 kHz. The car mount transponder communicates to the fuel
dispenser via the large loop antenna located at the top of the
dispenser.
[0126] A handheld transponder outside of the face mounted antenna's
range may receive a signal transmitted from the loop antenna, but
the dispenser will not be affected because the handheld transponder
responds to the loop antenna polling by transmitting back at 134
kHz, a frequency ignored by the 903 MHz receiving antenna. The only
way that the 134 kHz signal from the handheld transponder can be
picked up by the dispenser is by putting the transponder within 2-6
inches of the fuel dispenser door, where the face antenna is
located. The face antenna, which is typically mounted in the
dispenser door for handheld transponders, cannot receive other
signals due to its limited power and range.
[0127] The 134 kHz loop antenna sends the car mount transponder its
interrogation ID number and the car mount transponder responds with
the same ID number so that its signal will be ignored by other
dispenser loop antennas that accidentally pick up signals having
different interrogation ID numbers. The loop antenna is not a
directional antenna, but its range can be limited to a defined area
with reasonable certainty so that its 134 kHz interrogation signal
is not picked up by another car at another dispenser. The loop
antenna can be adjusted so that overlap with other loop antennas in
the forecourt is minimal or non-existent.
[0128] The 903 MHz signal sent by the car mounted transponder is
omni directional meaning its signal can travel in all directions
and can be picked up easily by other dispensers. The reason that
this is not problematic is that the 903 MHz signal sent by the car
mount transponder containing the interrogation ID number of the
dispenser it wishes to communicate with will only be sent after
being contacted by the signal having its interrogation ID number.
This way, other dispensers with different interrogation ID numbers
will ignore a signal sent by a car mount transponder with a
different interrogation ID number.
[0129] The 903 MHz signal transmitted from the transponder to the
interrogator is substantially non-directional and can be heard
throughout the entire fueling environment and most likely for quite
some distance outside the fueling environment. Transponder
transmissions carrying throughout the fueling environment add
significant difficulty in correlating a transponder with the proper
dispenser and respective fueling position. In addition to the
inherent difficulties in locating and distinguishing between
transponders within the fueling environment, the Texas Instruments
system requires different types of antennas, modulation schemes and
communication electronics for transmitting and receiving signals to
and from the transponders.
[0130] Applicants' invention provides a solution to the
difficulties of locating and communicating with transponders within
the fueling environment by (1) providing a communications system
operating at frequency ranges which are very directional, (2)
controlling the power at which the communications system operates
and (3) simplifying the communications electronics by operating at
the same carrier frequency when communicating with any transponder.
Communicating at substantially the same carrier frequency allows
interrogators to use the same or similar antennas to transmit and
receive. Furthermore, these more directional frequencies require
smaller antennas, which are easily integrated into the fueling
environment or dispenser in an economical and aesthetically
acceptable manner.
[0131] The preferred arrangement of applicants' antennas is shown
in FIGS. 12A and 12B. In FIG. 12A, a side view of a fuel dispenser
18 under a canopy or awning 249 is shown with multiple
configurations of antennas adapted to communicate with various
transponders proximate to either of the fueling positions A or B.
The antennas are adapted to transmit, receive or transmit and
receive at substantially directional frequencies, including those
in the microwave range, and preferably around about 2.45 GHz. In
these embodiments, there are basically three suggested antenna
locations wherein various combinations of antennas at these
locations are used. Please note that the antennas of FIGS. 12A and
12B are not referenced as 108, for the sake of clarity in
describing antenna placement.
[0132] The first antenna location is near the middle of a front
face of the dispenser 18. A mid-dispenser transmit antenna 251 and
mid-dispenser receive antenna 253 are placed near this midpoint.
The antennas may be located in the central portion of the dispenser
or located anywhere along the front face of the dispenser,
including near the respective sides of the dispenser as shown in
FIG. 12B. The mid-dispenser antennas 251, 253 preferably provide a
limited power and limited range field pattern to communicate with a
transponder 66 carried by a customer. The field provided by the
mid-dispenser transmit antenna 251 is preferably large enough to
properly communicate with the customer-carried transponder 66 in
the fueling position and in front of the dispenser without
requiring the customer to remove the transponder from a purse,
wallet or pocket and wave the transponder next to the dispenser 18
or a receiving antenna.
[0133] Additionally, a top-mount transmit antenna 255 and top-mount
receive antenna 257 may be provided at or near the top of the
dispenser 18 and adapted to provide a focused, directional and
preferably conically shaped field downward over the respective
fueling position. These top-mount antennas 255, 257 are preferably
located on each side of the dispenser 18 as shown in FIG. 12B in
similar fashion to the preferred placement of the mid-dispenser
antennas 251, 253. The duplication and spacing of these antennas
help avoid interference caused by people or other objects breaking
the communication path between the respective antenna and
transponder. This allows the transponder to communicate with the
dispenser through one antenna or set of antennas, even if something
blocks the field from the other set of antennas.
[0134] Another option is to place the antenna substantially
directly over the fueling position A or B. In such an embodiment,
overhead receive antenna 259 and overhead transmit antenna 261 are
mounted over the fueling position A, B using an overhead antenna
mount 263. The overhead antennas 261, 263 operate in the same
manner as the top-mount antennas 255, 257, and may also be spaced
apart to provide varying positions to create an interrogation
field. Notably, the antennas for receiving and transmitting may be
combined into one wherein a suitable circulator or like electronics
241 is incorporated into the interrogator or communications
electronics to provide for reception and transmission from a single
antenna. With any of these embodiments, the antennas may cooperate
directly with the central control system 50 or with the dispenser
control system 80 to allow overall system monitoring of
transponders at the various positions. In these situations, the
selected control system will alert the dispenser of transponder
presence.
[0135] As noted, various combinations of these antennas can be
used. For example, the preferred embodiment includes two
mid-dispenser transmit antennas 251, two top-mount transmit
antennas 255, and two top-mount receive antennas 257. The top-mount
receive antennas 257 are adapted to receive signals transmitted
from the transponder in response to signals from either the
mid-dispenser transmit antennas 251 or the top-mount transmit
antennas 255. In operation, when a customer-carried transponder 66
enters the field provided by the mid-dispenser transmit antenna
251, the transmitter reflects a signal which is received by the
top-mount receive antenna 257. Alternatively, vehicle-mounted
transponders 64 may enter the interrogation field provided by the
top-mount transmit antenna 255 and respond with a signal received
by the top-mount receive antenna 257.
[0136] The interrogation fields provided by any of the transmit
antennas 251, 255, 259 may be adjusted to control the size and
shape of the respective fields. For example, the system may be
configured to more easily distinguish between transponders carried
by a person and vehicle-mounted transponders by configuring the
respective interrogation fields provided by the mid-dispenser
transmit antenna 251 and the top-mount transmit antenna 255 or
overhead transmit antenna 259, such that the respective
interrogation fields do not overlap or overlap in a desired and
select pattern. Thus, communications resulting from an
interrogation with the mid-dispenser transmit antenna 251 indicate
a transponder carried by the customer while communications
resulting from the top-mount or overhead transmit antenna 255, 259
may be indicative of vehicle-mounted transponders.
[0137] Attention is now drawn to FIGS. 12C and 12D, which depict a
flow chart of a basic process for monitoring the location and
position of a particular type of transponder using top-mount
transmit antennas 255 or overhead transmit antennas 259 and a
mid-dispenser transmit antenna 251 in conjunction with one or more
top-mount or overhead-mount receive antennas 257, 261. In this
preferred embodiment, one or more of the transmit antennas mounted
substantially above the customer will alternate sending
interrogation signals with one or more of the mid-dispenser
transmit antennas 251. A response to either of these interrogation
signals is received at a receive antenna mounted substantially
above the customer, such as one of the top-mount receive antennas
257 or overhead receive antennas 261.
[0138] The basic operation of this embodiment begins (block 400) by
alternately transmitting from the top and mid-mount antennas (block
402). The central control system 50 or dispenser control system 80
will monitor for responses from transponders within one of the
interrogation fields (block 404). The control system will continue
to monitor for a transponder response until a signal from a
transponder is received (block 406). The control system will next
determine from which transmission field the transponder is
responding (block 408). In this embodiment, where the transmission
fields alternate, the control system will simply determine if a
transponder response was received during a time period when the top
or overhead-mount antennas were generating the interrogation field
or if the response occurred during the time the mid-dispenser
transmit antenna 251 was generating the interrogation field.
[0139] Once the control system determines the field in which the
transponder is responding, the appropriate location of the
transponder is known (block 410). Typically, the transponder's
response to the interrogation signal provides transponder
identification indicia indicative of the type of transponder being
interrogated (block 412). The type of transponder is generally
vehicle mounted or carried by the person. Determining whether the
transponder is vehicle mounted or carried by the person enables the
control system to determine how to react to the presence of other
transponders passing through the various interrogation fields
during a communication with another transponder or make sure a
transponder is properly located for the desired transaction. If the
control system determines the transponder is one carried by a
person (block 414) and that the transponder was within the
mid-antenna field (block 416), the control system allows the
transaction to continue (block 420). If the transponder is a
customer-carried transponder that is not within the mid-antenna
field (blocks 414 and 416), the control system will return to the
beginning of the process (block 418). The latter situation is
indicative of a transponder carried by the person being
interrogated in one of the top or overhead antenna fields, which
are preferably used to interrogate vehicle-mounted transponders
exclusively. Thus, the system preferably ignores transponders
carried by the person outside of the mid-antenna field, which is
preferably focused in a manner requiring the customer to be
substantially in front of the customer interface of the appropriate
fueling position. The field associated with the mid-dispenser
transmit antenna 251 is limited only by design choice and may
extend several or more feet in front and to the sides of the fuel
dispenser.
[0140] If the control system is communicating with a
customer-carried transponder within the mid-antenna field, the
control system may monitor for the continued presence of the
transponder in the mid-antenna field (block 422) or allow movement
of the customer-carried transponder throughout the fueling
environment (block 422). Notably, it is often desirable to only
require the customer-carried transponder to be within the
mid-antenna field long enough to start the transaction and fueling
operation, and allow the customer to leave the fueling area during
the fueling operation. Unlike a customer-carried transponder, the
control system would preferably require the presence of the vehicle
in the appropriate transmission field throughout the fueling
operation for safety reasons. Regardless of how the control system
monitors the presence or movement of the customer-carried
transponder during the transaction, the transaction will continue
until complete (block 426), wherein the process will begin anew
(block 428).
[0141] If the control system determines a vehicle-mounted
transponder is within the appropriate transmission field (block
414), the transaction will continue (block 430). Preferably, the
control system will make sure that the vehicle has stopped moving
and has been in position long enough to indicate a transaction
associated with the responding transponder is likely. As noted
above, the control system will preferably continue to monitor for
the vehicle-mounted transponder's presence (block 432) throughout
fueling. The control system is preferably capable of distinguishing
responses from the vehicle-mounted transponder associated with the
transaction from other personal or vehicle-mounted transponders
entering one or more of the transmission fields (block 434). If a
response to an interrogation signal is received that does not
correspond to the vehicle-mounted transponder associated with the
transaction, the response is ignored (block 436).
[0142] Preferably, the control system will ignore all responses of
customer-carried transponders in the top-mount or overhead
transmission fields. Erroneous responses from other vehicles are
rejected based on the control system recognizing a response from a
vehicle-mounted transponder having a different identification
indicia from the vehicle-mounted transponder associated with the
ongoing transaction. Likewise, the control system will ignore
responses from transponders other than the authorized transponders
to avoid communicating with transponders of other customers
entering the field during a transaction. In such case, the control
system may check the identification indicia to ensure communication
continue with the appropriate transponder. During this time, the
control system will continue with the transaction (block 438) until
the transaction is completed (block 440).
[0143] If the transaction is not complete, the control system will
continue to monitor for the presence of the vehicle-mounted
transponder and any other transponders in the area (blocks 432 -
440). Once the transaction is complete (block 440), the process
returns to the beginning (block 442). Although the preferred
embodiment provides for mid and overhead transmission fields
wherein transponder responses are received near the top or above
the dispenser, those skilled in the art will recognize that
numerous modifications of this configuration are within the
inventive concept disclosed herein and subject to the claims that
follow.
[0144] As noted, the interrogation communications system preferably
communicates using substantially directional radio frequencies in
conjunction with antennas configured to provide precisely shaped
and directed interrogation fields. Communications at these
frequencies are generally limited to line-of-sight communications
wherein arranging the antennas to cover a common interrogation
field from different locations avoids parallax and the effect of
interference from objects coming between the transponder and one of
the antennas. Generally, communications will require the absence of
metal objects coming between the antennas and transponders. Thus,
when antennas are mounted within the dispenser, glass or plastic
dispenser walls are preferable. Furthermore, vehicle-mounted
transponders are preferably placed on the windows or behind
non-metal portions of the vehicle to avoid interference.
[0145] Preferably, high-gain antennas are used to provide a highly
directional and configurable cone shape covering an area most
likely to include a transponder when a vehicle is properly
positioned for fueling. The antenna range and transmission power is
typically adjusted to provide the desired interrogation field while
minimizing the potential for the transponder to reflect signals to
antennas associated with other fueling positions.
[0146] Another benefit provided by an embodiment of the present
invention is that spread-spectrum communications limits the
likelihood that an interrogator in the system will synchronize with
a transponder being interrogated by another interrogator. Thus, a
preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for a
communications system capable of distinguishing between transponder
types, limiting the potential of transponders erroneously
communicating with another interrogator, simplifying communications
by using the same carrier for transmission and reception, extending
the interrogation field to more easily communicate with
vehicle-mounted transponders, reducing the size of the antennas
required for communication, and allowing either the same or same
type of antenna to be used for transmission and reception.
[0147] Alternate Antenna Configuration
[0148] Turning now to FIG. 13A, an alternative fueling environment
10 is shown having a station store 20 and the central control
system 50 configured to communicate with each of the dispensers 18.
Multiple vehicles 14 are depicted in and around the various fuel
dispensers 18. Each of the dispensers may include an antenna 108.
These antennas 108 may be operatively associated with a
corresponding dispenser interrogator 52 and dispenser control
system 80 (see FIG. 5). Please note that antenna placement will
depend upon the application and may include placing the antennas
anywhere in the fueling environment 10 separate from the dispensers
18. Placing the antennas at non-dispenser locations is especially
operable in applications where the antennas are used to determine
transponder location.
[0149] The antenna 108 and dispenser 18 configuration in FIG. 13A
is specifically adapted to determine the proximity of a vehicle
relative to a particular fueling position A, B associated with each
dispenser 18. The different reception patterns are depicted in
association with the two left most dispensers 18. The circular
reception pattern 250 would be used to determine the proximity of a
vehicle with respect to a particular dispenser 18. Generally, only
one antenna 108 is required for such an embodiment. As a vehicle
approaches the dispenser having the circular pattern 250, the
dispenser's corresponding interrogator 52 and dispenser control
system 80 will receive a signal transmitted from the transponder
12, 14. The dispenser control system 80 will analyze certain
characteristics of the signal received- from the transponder, such
as magnitude or strength, to determine a relative proximity to the
dispenser. Typically, a dispenser 18 having an antenna
configuration providing the basic circular pattern 44 is not able
to distinguish at which side or fueling position A, B, the vehicle
is positioned.
[0150] A dual-lobed pattern 252 associated with the second
dispenser 18 from the left in FIG. 13A provides the dispenser
control system 80 the ability to determine at which fueling
position A, B the vehicle is located or approaching. In order to
determine the particular fueling position A, B, a directional
component is necessary in addition to the proximity component
described above. To provide this directional component, multiple
antennas may be used to create various types of reception lobes
where the antennas may be configured to only receive signals from
certain pre-set directions or areas. Regardless of the
configuration, the dispenser control system 80 will monitor a
characteristic of the signal determinative of proximity, such as
magnitude or strength, in conjunction with determining the fueling
position A, B to which the signal appears most proximate. In the
dual-lobed embodiment 252, the dispenser control system 80 may
measure the signal characteristics received at both antennas 108 to
determine from which antenna the received signal was strongest in
order to determine direction. Using directionally configured
antennas will allow each antenna to focus on one fueling position.
Alternatively, placing the antennas 107 in the forecourt under each
fueling position allows for easy determination of vehicle placement
relative to a fueling position as shown in FIG. 16.
[0151] The dispenser control system 80 may include electronics
capable of detecting signal strength or magnitude and monitor for
variations therein. The magnitude monitoring circuitry 256
preferably includes automatic gain control electronics feeding the
received signal into an analog-to-digital converter. Signal
strength is turned into an 8-bit digital string corresponding to a
signal magnitude. The dispenser control system 80 will monitor the
string for variations in signal strength. As the signal magnitude
increases, the dispenser control system 80 will determine that the
transponder is approaching, and vice versa.
[0152] The flow chart of FIGS. 14A and 14B outlines the process
undertaken by the dispenser control system 80 to determine the
proximity or location of a transponder 64, 66 with respect to a
particular fueling position A, B of a dispenser 18. The process
begins (block 700) with the dispenser control system 80 beginning
to monitor for a transponder signal (block 710). The signal may
originate from an active transmitter in the transponder or may
reflect or scatter back to a dispenser interrogator 52 and antenna
108. Upon detection of a transponder signal (block 720), the
dispenser control system 80 will monitor a characteristic, such as
magnitude or phase of the signal (block 730). At this point, the
dispenser control system 80 recognizes a transponder 64, 66 as near
or approaching the dispenser 18 and continues to monitor for the
presence of the signal (block 740). If the signal is lost or
decreases, the dispenser control system 80 will determine that the
transponder has left or is leaving the reception area and will
begin to monitor for a new transponder signal (block 710). If the
signal remains present and/or increases, the dispenser control
system 80 will determine the proximity of the vehicle with respect
to the dispenser (block 750). Preferably, the dispenser control
system 80 will monitor to determine whether or not the signal
strength is changing to ensure that the vehicle-mounted transponder
64 does not move during the fueling operation.
[0153] In order to determine the particular fueling position A, B
at which the transponder is located, the dispenser control system
80 must determine which side of the dispenser the vehicle is at or
approaching (block 760). The dispenser control system 80 may simply
monitor the signal with antennas at or near the particular fueling
position designed to receive using a directionally sensitive
antenna configuration, such as the embodiment of FIGS. 12A and 12B,
the dual-lobed configuration 252 of FIG. 13A, or the underground
antennas 107 shown in FIG. 16.
[0154] Reference is again directed to FIGS. 14A and 14B. As a
transponder approaches a particular fueling position A, B, the
dispenser control system 80 determines if the transponder is within
a certain fueling proximity (block 770). When the vehicle is within
fueling proximity, it is in a position close enough for the fuel
dispenser 18 at the corresponding fueling position A, B to allow
fueling of the vehicle. If the vehicle is not within fueling
proximity, the dispenser control system 80 continues to monitor the
strength and direction of the signal (blocks 730-760). The
dispenser control system 80 may determine whether the transponder
or vehicle is within fueling proximity by simply receiving the
transponder signal, receiving a signal magnitude above a predefined
threshold, and/or determining whether the signal magnitude is
changing, indicating that the transponder and vehicle are
moving.
[0155] Once the vehicle is in position for fueling, the dispenser
control system 80 activates the dispenser's fueling electronics as
desired (block 780). During the fueling operation, the dispenser
control system 80 continues to monitor for the presence of a signal
in decision block 790. When the signal is no longer present, the
dispenser electronics are deactivated at block 795, and the
dispenser control system 80 monitors for the next transponder
signal at block 710 causing the process to repeat.
[0156] FIG. 13B depicts an embodiment wherein the location of
transponders may be tracked as they travel throughout the service
station environment 10. In this embodiment, the dispensers 18 each
include an antenna 108 capable of receiving a signal from a
transponder 64. Preferably, signals from the antennas 108 are
multiplexed together at the central control system 50. The various
control systems will receive the transponder signal and monitor the
location of the vehicle and determine the dispenser 18 and fueling
position A, B at which the vehicle stops. The dispenser control
system 80 may, for example, monitor a characteristic, such as the
phase, of the signal received by the various antennas 108
associated with the dispensers 18 and use known computational
techniques, based on the signal characteristics received at the
various antenna locations, to determine vehicle location. One such
technique using phase differences is triangulation.
[0157] Although the signal of only one vehicle transponder 64 is
depicted, the various dispensers 18 and/or the central control
system 50 may monitor for the presence and location of a plurality
of vehicles to determine proximity, direction of travel and
location throughout the fueling environment 10. Triangulation and
other similar positioning and locating techniques generally require
at least two antennas and provide better resolution as the number
of antennas 108 increase. The location of the respective antennas
108 may be virtually anywhere in the fueling environment 10.
Another alternative to multiplexing the various antennas located at
the respective dispensers 18 or elsewhere in the fueling
environment 10 is to use multiple antennas in each dispenser or
throughout the fueling environment 10. Additionally, a global
positioning system (GPS) could be used to communicate vehicle
position directly or through a remote network 94 to the central
control system 50 and on to the fuel dispenser 18.
[0158] The flow chart of FIG. 15 outlines the control process for
the embodiment depicted in FIG. 13B. The process begins (block 800)
and initially monitors for the presence of a transponder signal
(block 810). Once the signal is received (block 820), the dispenser
control system 80 monitors the characteristics of the signal for
various antennas (block 830). The dispenser control system 80 will
next determine the location of the transponder (block 840) using
the monitored signal characteristics at the various antennas to
triangulate or otherwise determine vehicle location. The precise
fueling position A, B of the corresponding dispenser 18 is
determined (blocks 850 and 860) by calculating the position at
which the vehicle stopped. The dispenser control system 80 for the
dispenser where the vehicle stopped will determine if the vehicle
is within the fueling area (block 870). If the vehicle is within
the fueling area, the dispenser's fueling electronics are activated
as desired (block 880). The dispenser control system 80 will
continually monitor the location of the vehicle to determine if the
vehicle remains within the fueling area (block 890). Once the
fueling operation is over and the vehicle leaves the fueling area,
the dispenser control system 80 deactivates the dispenser's fueling
electronics (block 895) and monitors for a new transponder signal
(block 810), whereupon the process is repeated.
[0159] With respect to FIG. 16, an embodiment depicting underground
antennas 107 is shown. The two antennas 107 correspond to fueling
positions A and B. The antennas are preferably multiplexed at an
antenna multiplexer 256. The multiplexer 256 sends the multiplex
signals received by the corresponding antenna 107 to the
interrogator 52. Preferably, intrinsically safe barriers are used
to provide electrical isolation between the antennas and the
multiplexer 256 and/or interrogator 52.
[0160] Dual-Stage Preconditioning and Authorization Using
Transponders
[0161] There are numerous examples of transponders being used in
fleet-type applications for identifying a vehicle as being
authorized to receive fuel at a specific fueling site. There are
examples of radio frequency transmissions being used to interface
with onboard vehicle computers for the purpose of transferring
vehicle information to various locations, such as toll plazas, fuel
dispensers and parking garages. A number of schemes are known for
identifying an individual for completing financial transactions.
These typically involve personal identification numbers (PIN),
which are "secret" codes known only to the consumer and used in
conjunction with financial account information in order to complete
a transaction. These schemes typically include standard debit cards
with associated PIN's, contact and contactless smart cards with
associated PIN's, and smart-wired and wireless PIN pads used in
conjunction with card reading devices such as the devices disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,366 to Kaehler.
[0162] Consumers have reacted favorably as the petroleum retailing
industry has accepted card readers in the dispensers as a means for
reducing the time required to complete payment for gasoline
transactions. However, both consumers and the industry desire still
further improvements of transaction efficiencies. One aspect of the
current invention is to use transponder technology in a fueling
environment to simplify the financial payment operation associated
with the transaction at a fuel dispenser and provide an enhanced
level of security such that basic transponder communications cannot
be "tapped" by unauthorized devices and personnel in order to
replicate communications to generate fraudulent transactions. This
aspect involves an initial radio frequency identification process
to provide preconditioning of the fuel dispenser, followed by an
authentication process to provide transaction security for the
financial aspects of the transaction. The invention is applicable
to both vehicle-mounted 64 and personal transponders 66, and, in
certain embodiments, may require a second transponder associated
with the vehicle or customer for the authentication step. The
secondary authentication process may require the customer to enter
a PIN, speak for a voice match, or supply a physical identifier,
such as a fingerprint, or other biometric identifier. Preferably, a
voice print or other biometric signature of the customer is taken
and stored in the transponder's memory or a database associated
with the dispenser control system. Thus, the information must be
received from the transponder or the database associated with the
dispenser control system as necessary. Alternatively, a second
transponder may be used for part of the process to supplement and
authenticate the first transponder, or the first transponder may
act alone and provide a secondary transmission capable of
authenticating the first transmission.
[0163] Attention is drawn to FIGS. 17, 18A and 18B wherein a
schematic and flow chart are depicted detailing the system and
process of a preferred embodiment implementing dispenser
preconditioning followed by a transaction authorization. In FIG.
17, a vehicle 14 has a first vehicle-mounted transponder 64 and a
second vehicle-mounted transponder 65. The customer 12 may also
have a personal transponder 66. Although not depicted, fuel
dispenser 18 is preferably connected as discussed above with the
central control system 50, and includes a customer interface having
a display 100 and key pad 102, a dispenser interrogator 52 and an
associated antenna 108. The dispenser may also include a microphone
258 operatively associated with audio processing circuitry 260 (see
also FIG. 5) and a video camera 262. The microphone 258 and camera
262 may provide a bidirectional audio/video intercom between the
dispenser 18 and the QSR or convenience store operator interfaces.
In this application, the microphone 258, in conjunction with the
audio processing circuitry 260 or the camera 262, may function to
provide a voice print of the customer or an image of the customer
to authenticate a transponder. Likewise, a fingerprint imager 264
may use a customer's fingerprint to authenticate the
transponder.
[0164] With this dispenser architecture in mind, specific reference
is made to the flow chart of FIGS. 18A and 18B. As a customer 12
approaches a fueling station (within vehicle 14), and, in
particular, a fueling position at a dispenser 18, either the
customer transponder 66 or vehicle transponder 64 is initially
interrogated as the interrogator 52 monitors for the presence of a
transponder (blocks 900 and 905). Typically, the interrogator 52 in
conjunction with the dispenser control system 80 will continuously
check to see if a transponder is present (block 910). If a
transponder is not present, the dispenser control system 80 will
continue to monitor for the transponder (block 905). If a
transponder is detected, the dispenser control system 80 will
receive indicia from the first transponder corresponding to the
particular transponder's identification information (block 915).
Preferably, the dispenser 18 will continuously monitor the
transponder's location or proximity to a particular fueling
position (block 920). Further information is provided relating to
vehicle monitoring and positioning in applicants' U.S. patent
application entitled INTELLIGENT FUELING filed on Dec. 6, 1996,
Ser. No. 08/759,733, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein
by reference.
[0165] Typically, the transponder is read using energy provided
from the antenna 108 located on the dispenser 18, forecourt 16, or
anywhere else in the fueling environment 10. The transponder may
respond to this energy by providing signals to the dispenser
interrogator 52. The dispenser control system 80 will operate to
determine the general location or proximity of the vehicle 14 with
respect to a corresponding fueling position at the fuel dispenser
18. Preferably, the dispenser interrogator 52 will maintain
constant contact with the transponder. The dispenser control system
80 will monitor transponder communications to determine the fueling
position at which the vehicle (and customer) stop (block 925).
[0166] Once the appropriate fueling position is determined,
information received from the vehicle (or customer) transponder is
used to "precondition" the fuel dispenser 18 (block 930).
Preconditioning means readying the dispenser for the fueling
transaction. The extent of readiness may vary with each
application, but may include determining the proper fuel, fuel
type, flow rates for the vehicle and/or running initial checks on
account information, adjusting vapor recovery equipment based on
the absence or presence of onboard vapor recovery equipment, or
simply initializing the pump electronics. For example, a fuel
dispenser may be preconditioned to a point where fueling will be
authorized once secondary information is received to authorize the
information used for preconditioning and/or the transponder. The
customer may also elect to receive select information or targeted
advertising as discussed below under "Customer Preferences." The
preconditioning may take place solely at the fuel dispenser control
system 80, in conjunction with the central control system 50, or
may require communication with an on- or off-site database, such as
the remote network 94. Having achieved the preconditioning of the
dispenser based on a first transponder indicia, which is generally
related to transponder identification, the financial aspects of the
transponder are subsequently authorized.
[0167] Receiving additional or second indicia is required for
authorization in addition to the indicia received for
preconditioning (block 935). One option is to have the dispenser
control system 80 adapted to prompt the customer to enter a PIN on
the key pad 102 so that both the transponder data and an associated
PIN number are made available to the appropriate database as a
matched pair in order to obtain authorization and subsequent
payment information (block 940).
[0168] Another option is to receive the second indicia from a
second transponder, distinct from the first transponder that
initially transmits the information for preconditioning (block
945). In this embodiment, the first transponder may be either an
additional transponder 65 on the vehicle 14, or the personal
transponder 66 carried by the customer 12. If the first or
preconditioning transponder is transponder 64 on the vehicle 14,
the second transponder providing authorization may be a customer
transponder 66 or the other vehicle transponder 65. If the first or
preconditioning transponder is the customer transponder 66, the
second transponder may be one of the vehicle transponders 64,
65.
[0169] As easily seen, many configurations are available where a
first transponder transmits information for preconditioning, and a
second associated transponder provides information for
authorization. Once the first transponder provides the
preconditioning indicia, the second transponder will subsequently
provide second indicia from which authorization or authentication
is derived. This secondary indicia may be an authentication ID
which is matched in a database in one of the associated control
systems with the ID or information received from the first
transponder. If the information from both transponders corresponds
appropriately, the transaction is authorized.
[0170] A third alternative is to provide a transponder capable of
providing both the first preconditioning indicia followed by a
secure or encrypted transmission representing the second indicia
required for authorization or authentication (block 950).
Preferably, the transponder is capable of processing data received
from the dispenser interrogator 52, processing or encrypting the
data and transmitting the data or secure code back to the dispenser
for authorization or authentication. Again, one of the control
systems associated with the dispenser will compare the original
preconditioning indicia and the second authorization or
authentication indicia before authorizing the financial portion of
a transaction and allowing the dispensing of and payment for
fuel.
[0171] When only a customer transponder 66 is present (the vehicle
transponder is not present), the transaction is initiated or
preconditioned solely by the customer transponder 66 located on a
key, key fob/ring or card. Upon selecting a fueling position, the
customer will exit the vehicle and prepare for fueling. Preferably,
the dispenser will read the customer transponder 66 and recognize
that a vehicle transponder is not present. Such recognition may
result from a vehicle transponder not being detected or information
transmitted by the personal transponder indicating that a personal
transponder is present or a vehicle transponder is not available.
In this situation, the dispenser will prompt the customer for a
PIN, which is compared with the information received from the
transponder in order to authenticate the transaction. Optionally,
the customer transponder is a secure, intelligent transponder
capable of being read by the dispenser interrogator, providing
information such as a code, performing a secured computation at the
transponder, and responding with secondary information in order to
validate the transponder and authorize the transaction.
[0172] Another option for secondary authorization or authentication
indicia is to receive a voiceprint using the microphone 258 and
audio processing circuitry 260 in conjunction with one of the
associated dispenser control systems. Fingerprints may also be
compared using the thumb- or fingerprint imager 264 (shown in FIG.
5).
[0173] Regardless of how the second indicia for authorization or
authentication is received, one of the control systems will check
the second indicia for authorization purposes as discussed above
(block 955). If the control system determines the second indicia is
not proper authorization or authentication of the first,
preconditioning indicia, the control system will display a message
indicating the transaction is not authorized (block 965) and will
prevent fuel delivery. If the transaction is authorized (block
960), the control system will enable fueling (block 970) and
monitor for the end of fueling (blocks 975 and 980) until the
transaction ends (block 985).
[0174] With the embodiments requiring second indicia from the same
or separate transponder for authentication or authorization, the
transponder is adapted to bidirectionally communicate with the
dispenser, which further communicates with a host network 94 in
cooperation with the central control system 50 to provide secure
authorization of the transponder(s) and to enable transactions. In
certain applications, it is desirable to avoid transmitting data
from which valuable account or financial information could be
derived between the tag and the dispenser, or the dispenser and the
host network 94. Preferably, all or a majority of the account or
financial information requiring absolute security is stored only at
the host network 94. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, neither the
transponders, dispenser 18 nor central control system 50 has access
to critical financial or account information. In more localized
applications, the central control system 50 may have access to such
information.
[0175] Certain embodiments of the present invention also provide
high levels of security for transmissions. In order to avoid
placing certain information at risk during transactions, the
invention provides a unique identifier indicia for each
transponder, and the host network maintains account and financial
information associated with the transponder having the unique
identifier. The identifier is transmitted to the host network 94
through the dispenser 18 and central control system 50. The host
network 94 checks to see that the transponder, and not a
counterfeit, has provided the identifier. Once the host system
determines that an authorized transponder sent the identifier, the
host network 94 authorizes the dispenser to further interact with
the transponder and authorize subsequent transactions based
thereon.
[0176] Preferably, the transponder is authenticated using
cryptography techniques known only by the transponder and host, but
not by the dispenser or central control system 5 0. The preferred
authentication or authorization process is shown in FIG. 19. In
step one, the dispenser control system 80, in conjunction with the
dispenser interrogator 52, generates and sends a random number
(CRN) to the transponder. The transponder will encrypt the random
number (CRN) and return the encrypted random number (TRN) to the
dispenser along with a transponder identification number (ID) in
step two. In step three, the dispenser 18 relays the transponder
ID, the encrypted random number (TRN) received from the
transponder, and the random number (CRN) to the host network 94
without modification. When using the host network 94, this
information is transferred through the central control system 50.
In more localized applications, the primary functions of the host
network 94 may be provided by the central control system 50. In the
preferred embodiment, the tag ID number is 10 bytes, the random
number (CRN) is 8 bytes, and the encrypted random number (TRN) is 8
bytes.
[0177] Upon receipt of the transponder ID from the dispenser 18
(through central control system 50), the host network 94 calculates
or looks up in a database a main transponder key associated with
the transponder using the transponder ID. Preferably, the host
network 94 will have initially generated the main keys stored in
the transponder and will use the same keys to cryptographically
communicate with the transponder. The host network 94 will have
cryptography electronics adapted to encrypt the random number using
the main transponder key and compare the result to the encrypted
random number received from the transponder. If the numbers match,
the transponder is a valid transponder, and most likely not a
counterfeit. The host network will then use the ID number to look
up transaction billing data or other customer related information
corresponding to the transponder and authorize the dispenser to
carry out the desired and authorized transactions in step four.
Additional information is provided in U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 08/895,417 filed Jul. 16, 1997, entitled CRYPTOGRAPHY SECURITY
FOR REMOTE DISPENSER TRANSACTIONS in the name of William S.
Johnson, Jr., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0178] Transponder Theft
[0179] With the enhancements and transaction efficiency associated
with using transponders, security concerns arise based on theft of
information transmitted to and from the transponders, as well as
theft of the transponders themselves. The present invention
addresses the issue of stolen transponders in a number of ways.
Preferably, a database is maintained, which keeps track of stolen
or lost transponder ID's and is checked by the dispenser or central
control system prior to authorizing each fueling operation in which
transponders are used. The database may be kept at the dispenser,
central control system 50, or at the remote network 94 for more
regional and national protection. Where the transponder is
intelligent, the dispenser control system 80 deletes a fraudulent
transponder. The dispenser control system 80 may send a signal to
the transponder 64, 66 to disable the transponder, act to inhibit
future transactions, or alert other fueling environments when
subsequent transactions are attempted.
[0180] The basic flow of this theft deterrent and prevention system
is shown in FIG. 20 wherein a fueling process begins (block 1000)
and the transponder ID is received (block 1005). In addition to the
transponder ID, the transponder may inform the dispenser control
system 80 that the transponder has been stolen or is being used by
an unauthorized party. This theft or unauthorized use signal is
preferably generated by the transponder in response to a dispenser
in a subsequent transaction attempt transmitting a form of
disabling signal to the transponder. Transmission of this signal is
described in greater detail below.
[0181] The dispenser will next determine if the transponder is lost
or stolen based on the signals received from the transponder by
accessing a local or national database listing transponders which
were lost, stolen or used by unauthorized parties (block 1010).
After comparing the transponder ID with those listed in the
database, the dispenser will decide whether or not the transponder
is lost, stolen or being used by an authorized party (block 1015).
If the transponder does not appear in the database, the dispenser
will proceed with the fueling transaction (block 1020) until the
end of the transaction is reached (blocks 1025 and 1030). If the
dispenser determines that any use of the transponder is
unauthorized from any one of the local or national databases, the
dispenser will preferably interrogate the transponder to download
any transaction history or information available on the transponder
to help track unauthorized uses and determine the identification of
the unauthorized user (block 1035). For example, the transponder
may be able to track the various locations in which the user
attempted to use the transponder. If the user attempted to use any
identification means in association with this transponder use, the
prior dispensers and control systems may have attempted to transmit
this user identification to the transponder for subsequent
transaction attempts.
[0182] As noted above, an important aspect of one embodiment of the
present invention is the dispenser's ability to transmit a disable
signal to the transponder to prevent authorizations of unauthorized
users and subsequent transaction attempts (block 1040). The disable
signal may simply be a signal informing the transponder that any
subsequent use is unauthorized. The signal may completely shut down
the transponder to prevent any subsequent communications or disable
any transaction authorization features while maintaining
communication ability. In the latter case, the transponder may be
used to help track unauthorized transaction attempts and identify
the unauthorized user.
[0183] The dispenser will also disable the present fueling
operation and attempted transaction (block 1045) before delivering
fuel or authorizing a financial transaction associated with the
transponder. During this time, the dispenser will attempt to gather
as much customer information as possible (block 1050). For example,
the dispenser control system 80 may mark any type of identification
information received from the user as well as record any physical
information possible, such as marking video taken from the camera
262 or audio from microphone 258 (block 1050). The system may also
alert one or more of the operators of the fueling environment and
one or more security services via the local or remote systems
(block 1055). The system may be tied into a network which will
alert the police or simply update the security database in order to
maintain transaction or attempted transaction histories (block
1060) and the process will end (block 1030). Upon determining a
transponder has been lost, stolen or used in an authorized manner,
the system may communicate with the transponders to effectively
lockout the dispenser as well as the transponder. Those of ordinary
skill in the art will recognize that the preferred embodiments
disclosed herein will not limit the inventive concept disclosed or
protected by the claims that follow.
[0184] Drive-Off Prevention
[0185] Similar to the theft prevention and general prevention of
transponder use by unauthorized persons, steps must be taken to
prevent authorized customers from using the transponder in
unauthorized ways. Of primary concern is preventing a customer from
driving off before paying for the fuel or any other purchases made
at the dispenser or anywhere else in the fueling environment. In
many situations, the complete financial transaction will require
more than a purely remote interaction between the dispenser and
transponder. The customer may be required to provide additional
payment means, such as cash, a credit/debit/smart card or PIN
number. In a situation where the product or service may be
delivered before the transaction is completed, or especially when
the transponder is used for reasons other than payment, the present
invention will act to deter or prevent repetition of this event in
the future. Notably, not all drive-offs are intentional, and the
transponder may act with various fueling environments to remind the
customer at a subsequent fueling transaction that a drive-off
occurred during a previous operation.
[0186] The flow of an embodiment of applicant's drive-off
prevention process is shown in FIG. 21. The fueling operation will
begin (block 1100) wherein the dispenser will receive transponder
identification indicia, which is generally the transponder ID
(block 1105). The dispenser control system 80 and/or central
control system 50 will monitor the transaction to detect a
drive-off condition (blocks 1110, 1115). The system will generally
monitor for the drive-off condition until the transaction is both
physically and financially complete.
[0187] If a drive-off condition is detected (block 1115), the
dispenser will transmit a drive-off signal to the transponder
indicating the drive-off condition has or is occurring. The system
will quickly gather any customer information from the transponder
and from the fueling environment (block 1125) in the same fashion
discussed with transponder theft. The dispenser will also alert the
system operator, security personnel and, most importantly, the
customer (block 1130). In many situations, the customer may have
simply forgot to complete the transaction or may decide to abort
the attempted drive-off after hearing the alert. If a drive-off
occurs in spite of these warnings, a database associated with the
local central control system 50 or the remote network 94 is updated
accordingly. Once this database is updated, subsequent transactions
will be prevented when the database is accessed to determine if
prior drive-offs have occurred (see block 1110). Alternatively, a
transponder disable signal may be sent to the transponder before
leaving the fueling area to lockout future transactions, as
discussed in the previous section. The customer may be informed of
the drive-off at the subsequent location in an attempt to perfect
the prior transaction in which the drive-off occurred.
Additionally, the transponder could act to disable the car if such
control electronics are available and coupled to the
transponder.
[0188] Transaction Guidelines and Limitations
[0189] Another unique aspect of an embodiment of the present
invention is the ability to use transponders to provide guidelines
and limitations on transactions associated with the transponder.
These transactions may be cash, credit or debit type transactions
so long as a transponder is communicably associated with the
dispensing system somewhere before, during or after the fueling or
purchase transaction. These guidelines and limitations on customer
purchases are either stored in a database in association with a
transponder ID and accessible by the dispenser or central control
systems 80, 50 or transmitted from the transponder to the dispenser
during each transaction. Regardless of the manner of access, the
dispenser control system 80 and the central control system 50 will
cooperatively operate to carry out transactions according to these
guidelines and limitations.
[0190] Attempts to circumvent the guidelines or limitations will
preferably result in a message to the customer or operator that the
item or service presented for purchase is not available to that
particular customer when the transaction is associated with the
customer transponder. These guidelines and limitations may affect
both fueling and non-fueling transactions. The guidelines and
limitations may be used to set a particular dollar amount or limit
what the customer associated with the transponder may spend, as
well as limit the frequency and the types of purchases made by the
customer. For example, parents may place limits on their children's
spending amounts, snack purchases or the frequency of fill-ups, in
addition to preventing the purchase of alcoholic beverages. Given
the tremendous latitude made available with using such transponders
for transactions, authorization controls provide safety and
security features making the tasks of those supervising the
customers associated with the transponders significantly easier.
The invention is particularly useful for fleet fueling applications
wherein drivers are limited to selected purchases and purchase
amounts.
[0191] With these concepts in mind, attention is directed to FIG.
22 depicting a general flow of a fueling or purchase transaction
wherein transponder guidelines or limitations are enforced.
Typically, the fueling operation will begin by a customer driving
up to a fuel dispenser and an associated transponder transmitting
identification indicia to the dispenser (block 1200). The dispenser
control system 80 will receive the transponder identification
indicia via the interrogator 52 (block 1205). At this point, the
dispenser control system 80 and/or the central control system 50
will receive transaction guidelines from a database kept at the
central control system 50 or the remote network 94. Alternatively,
the dispenser control system 80 may receive the transaction
guidelines directly from the transponder (block 1210).
[0192] Throughout the fueling operation, one or more of the control
systems will monitor the operation to maintain fueling according to
any guidelines or limitations as set forth above (block 1215).
Additionally, the control systems will operate to monitor non-fuel
transactions occurring before, during or after fueling to ensure
that any guidelines or limitations are followed (block 1220). The
non-fuel transactions may take place at the dispenser 18 or at one
of the transaction terminals 30, 34 in the fuel station store. The
control systems will monitor the purchases entered into the
graphical user interface or scanned in by the operator. If the
type, amount or frequency of the purchase is not within the
guidelines or limitations, any such items are identified and the
operator is alerted as necessary (block 1240).
[0193] If all of the fueling and non-fueling transactions are
within the guidelines and limitations, the transaction is
authorized (block 1230) and the transaction is ended (block 1235).
The portions of the transaction which are authorized, if any, are
allowed (block 1245) and the transaction is ended (block 1235).
[0194] Creating A Shadow Ledger
[0195] Given the significant advances in remote communications
technology, remote communications units, or transponders as
referred to herein, have ever increasing computational
capabilities. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the transponders may
have one or more controllers 124, 142 and a significant amount of
associated memory 126. As noted, the transponders may be passive or
active and may provide significant data processing and memory
storage. In these "smart" transponder embodiments, it is preferable
to keep a running tally of financial and transactional information.
This is especially useful in smartcard-type embodiments wherein the
transponder will actually provide prepaid functions directly on the
transponder. In order to provide additional transaction security
and tracking, a further aspect of the present invention is creating
a shadow ledger at the central control system 50 or the remote
network 94 of the transaction information stored on the
transponder. This shadow ledger is updated during communications
with the transponder. In this manner, transponder account
information may be checked and the shadow ledger may be updated
regarding transactions occurring outside of the fueling environment
or associated transaction network.
[0196] Turning now to FIG. 23, a block diagram of the transponder
12, 14 is shown having controller communication electronics 124,
memory 126 and software 128 sufficient to provide a transponder
ledger 270. The transponder 64, 66 will communicate with a fuel
dispenser interrogator 52 of a fuel dispenser 18. The fuel
dispenser control system 80 will cooperate with the central control
system 50 and its controller 232 to provide transaction and other
transponder information to a remote network 94. The remote network
94 includes sufficient memory to provide a network ledger 272 for
the particular transponder 64, 66 in communication with the fuel
dispenser 18. The network ledger 272 is compared and updated as
necessary during transactions involving the transponder 64, 66.
Alternatively, a local ledger 276 may be kept at the central
control system in memory 234.
[0197] The basic process of maintaining a shadow ledger apart from
the transponder is shown in FIG. 24. As a transaction process
begins (block 1310), the dispenser 18 will receive transponder
identification indicia (block 1320). The identification or other
indicia may also indicate whether or not a transponder ledger is
being kept or provide sufficient information to allow one of the
control systems associated with the dispenser to access a database
indicating whether or not there is a ledger for that particular
transponder.
[0198] Next, the transponder will download the information in the
transponder ledger 270 to the dispenser interrogator 52 and
controller 80. The dispenser control system 80 will subsequently
relay the transponder ledger information to the central control
system 50 if a local ledger 276 is kept or relay the information to
the host network 94, if a network ledger 272 is provided. The
shadow ledger (local or network) is accessed for the particular
transponder using the transponder identification indicia (block
1340) and the transponder and shadow ledgers are compared (block
1350). If the ledgers equate, no update is necessary and the
process is ended (block 1360 and 1380). If the ledgers do not
equate (block 1360), the shadow ledger is updated (block 1370) and
the process is ended (block 1380). Keeping a shadow ledger and
updating it as necessary when communications are available with the
transponder provides additional security for transponder
transactions, indicates transactions occurring outside of the
ledger system or associated network, and provides an up-to-date
accounting accessible when the transponder is unavailable for
communications.
[0199] Transaction Tracking
[0200] The present invention also provides an embodiment adapted to
track transponder transactions throughout a number of fueling
environments operatively associated with the host network 94. The
basic flow of transaction tracking is shown in FIG. 25 wherein a
typical fueling operation begins (block 1400) by a transmission
from the transponder of transponder identification indicia to the
dispenser 18 (block 1410). During the transaction, transaction
information is received from the transponder and/or gathered by the
dispenser and central control systems (blocks 1420 and 1430). The
information received and gathered preferably includes information
such as the type of transaction, the dollar amount per transaction,
frequency of transactions, and the location of these transactions.
The information gathered by the central control system 50 may be
relayed to the host network or major oil company network 94 (block
1440). The information is updated and compiled at the host network
(block 1450) to enable study of customer activities and
transactions. This information is very valuable in advertising and
merchandising in the fueling environment. Once the information is
compiled at the network 94, the process is ended (block 1460).
[0201] Customer Preferences
[0202] The evolution of fuel dispensing stations has resulted in
the development of faster and more efficient ways to dispense and
pay for fuel. In the past, customers had to go inside a store to
pay an attendant for dispensed fuel. Now systems exist that allow
customers to pay for fuel at the dispenser with a credit or debit
card without personally paying an attendant and without having to
go inside a store. As a result of paying at the pump rather than
personally paying an attendant inside a store, customers are less
frequently going inside the convenient stores and, therefore, less
often exposed to convenience store products and promotions, which
are generally more profitable than fuel. These newer fuel
dispensing stations give the ability to display visual information
to the customer and prompt the customer to physically interact with
the fuel dispensing station before, during and after dispensing
fuel.
[0203] It is well known in the art of fuel dispensers to provide a
CRT or other type of screen to deliver instructions, graphics and
pictures during the fueling process. Currently these display
screens, for the most part, are only used to give the user of the
fuel dispenser more aesthetically pleasing instructions during the
fueling process. One new feature of the display includes the
ability to provide video intercom as disclosed in Gilbarco patent
application Ser. No. 08/659,304 entitled ENHANCED SERVICE STATION
FUNCTIONALITY filed Jun. 6, 1996, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference. This display also provides the
ability to display video presentations, including
advertisements.
[0204] With so much information available that can be displayed, a
problem exists on how to manage and provide the information to the
customer. It is desirable to have the ability to deliver the data
on the screen at a fuel dispenser from outside sources such as
satellites or data networks. That way, this data which usually
requires large memory areas to store since it includes video data
does not have to be stored locally at every fuel dispensing
station. Rather, a central provider can deliver the information to
the fuel dispenser so that it does not have to be stored
redundantly at each fuel dispenser location.
[0205] With the current wave of data network technology, including
the Internet, the ability to deliver information to a customer will
continue to evolve. For instance, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/896,988 filed Jul. 18, 1997, entitled INTERNET CAPABLE BROWSER
DISPENSER ARCHITECTURE to Leatherman et al., incorporated herein by
reference, discusses an interactive fuel dispenser having a
plurality of fuel dispensers operating in conjunction with a local
server in which each fueling position acts as a client of the local
server at the fuel station store. This local server could be
connected to any variety of networks to provide information at the
fuel dispenser, including the Internet. This invention discusses
how the fuel dispensers and station will be connected to data
networks to allow information to be delivered to a user, but it
does not discuss the problem of how this information will be
managed at the fuel dispenser. A user of a fuel dispenser may not
have the expertise nor the time to access the information he
desires in a reasonable amount of time due to the huge amount of
data available today over the data networks and the fast changing
availability of different and new types of information and data
from data networks or the Internet.
[0206] A need exists to provide a way for the user of a fuel
dispenser to easily retrieve the information he desires without
time consuming selections that must be made for each use and
without the confusion that may be caused by continuous changes in
available selections and the format in which they are displayed on
a screen at a fuel dispenser. One can envision the plethora of
information selections that will be available to the user of a fuel
dispenser in the future. It will be quite time consuming for the
user to traverse a web of menus to select the information desired
when the choices of selections become greater and greater. It can
also be appreciated that changes in the information available for
selection may make the user frustrated if the user wants the same
type of information generally and does not want to access different
types of information each time.
[0207] The present invention allows a customer to pre-select which
types of information he wishes to access at a fuel dispenser
station or other station. With the current systems in the fuel
dispensing industry, a customer uses a credit card to initiate and
authorize a fuel transaction. The customer card number is read by
the fuel dispenser and sent back to the fuel site controller. The
fuel site controller sends the credit card number to a host network
through modem or other data network communications. The host
computer looks up the credit card number and authorizes the fuel
transaction with a message back to the site controller. Every time
the customer uses the particular credit card to authorize a fuel
transaction, the host computer may not only authorize the card, but
also look up the pre-registered information stored for that
particular credit card and send a message back to the site
controller indicating the customer's preferences. The site
controller could provide this information to the customer
automatically at the fuel dispenser without having to make any
selections.
[0208] The manner in which pre-registration for credit cards may be
accomplished could be by an application that is sent to the credit
card or fuel card companies indicating the choice of information to
be delivered. For example, the information choices could include
weather reports, local traffic reports, stock reports, etc.
[0209] An improvement in the site controller's determination of
customer preferences is through the use of a transponder. As noted,
the transponder can be hand-held or car mounted. The car mounted
version of the transponder may be linked with the car's control
system.
[0210] The transponder could reserve some of its user memory to
store customer preferences. Whenever a customer uses the
transponder to authorize a fuel transaction, the transponder ID may
be sent by the fuel dispenser to the site controller and on to the
host network so that the credit or fuel card number can be
associated with the transponder ID to which the fuel will be
charged. During the authorization process, the fuel dispenser
interrogator could also interrogate the transponder for the
customer's information preferences locally rather than having to
obtain this information from the host computer. This method would
save bandwidth and access time by the site controller to the host
computer.
[0211] The user of the fuel dispenser must have a method for
indicating and storing which type of information is to be
registered and delivered to the customer each time a fueling
transaction takes place. The user must also have the ability to
change this information whenever needed. There are several ways to
accomplish this task.
[0212] For the credit or fuel card method, the credit card or
fueling card companies could provide a database to allow a customer
to pre-register which types of information he wishes to be
displayed whenever he dispenses fuel with the particular credit
card or transponder. The customer could access this database for
selections by automated telephone service or other means. This
pre-registered information would be stored in the host computer.
The host computer would send a message to the site controller
indicating which information the customer desires. This message may
only include the type of information to be displayed and not
necessarily the actual information itself. The site controller may
have links to other data networks or systems to provide the actual
information. The site controller or individual fuel dispenser would
make the decision on what type of information to provide and what
source to provide it from.
[0213] The transponder arrangement provides a couple of easy ways
to pre-register data desired on a transponder. The customer could
select the type of information to be displayed when initially
applying for the transponder to be linked to the customer's credit
card. Alternatively, the fuel dispenser itself could have a menu
and selection available for the customer to select the information
desired and the fuel dispenser could download the information to
the transponder.
[0214] With the credit or fueling card embodiment, the customer can
use an automated phone service to access a database which stored
the pre-registered information selections, or the credit/fuel card
company could provide an application to be mailed in and entered
into the database by an operator.
[0215] With the first arrangement, the customer could also change
his selection at the fuel dispenser by selecting the option to
change his pre-registered selections, or a computer could be
provided inside a convenience store for the same purpose. The
computer or fuel dispenser would simply have an interrogator
capable of communicating with the transponder to store the
pre-registered selections made by the customer.
[0216] Of course, if the customer begins the fueling process and
wishes to override or cancel the pre-registered information to be
delivered, he can do so with a selection at the fuel dispenser. At
this point, the customer may traverse through any menus provided to
access other information not pre-registered, or may choose to not
have any information provided to him at all. In the case of a data
network service provider connection, the customer could opt out of
the pre-registered data and surf his account or service just as he
would on his personal computer.
[0217] As discussed above, the present invention provides features
adapted to personalize a fueling operation on a
customer-by-customer basis. In operation, the dispenser 18 will
generally interrogate the transponder and receive customer
preferences or an ID, which will allow the dispenser or associated
control system to access customer preferences, early in the fueling
operation. Preferably, the information is accessed as the customer
approaches the dispenser to enable the dispenser and associated
systems to provide the customer with a personalized greeting,
pre-selected information, such as news, traffic, weather, scores or
stock reports in addition to providing customer selected
advertising, merchandising or entertainment presentations.
Typically, a customer fills out information relating to the types
of information, greetings and multimedia presentations he or she
would be interested in receiving during a fueling operation. The
information is entered into a database associated with the
transponder ID or actually stored on the transponder in a format
capable of instructing the dispenser or central control system
accordingly.
[0218] Reference is directed to FIGS. 26A and 26B. Once the
customer preference information is in place, fueling processes will
begin (block 1500) wherein the dispenser 18 receives transponder
identification indicia (block 1505). The dispenser 18 will
cooperate with the central control system 50 and remote network 94
as necessary to receive and access customer preferences.
Alternatively, the preferences may be downloaded from the
transponder directly. The preferences may precondition fuel
delivery (block 1515) by selecting the desired type of fuel and
fuel grade, and providing a personalized greeting (block 1520). The
greeting may be configured to visually and/or audibly provide a
message such as "good morning" or "good afternoon Mr. Smith."
Additionally, a customer may have selected preferences as to the
type of advertising and merchandising provided by the display 100
and audio/video electronics 86.
[0219] The advertising may come from a dedicated auxiliary
audio/video source 156, such as a laser disk player or digital
video disk (DVD) as well as via the remote network 94. The network
94 may be associated with the Internet. The Internet provides a
wide range of multimedia capabilities to the fueling environment
relating to remote control and information dissemination. Attention
is drawn to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/896,988 for
INTERNET CAPABLE BROWSER DISPENSER ARCHITECTURE, filed Jul. 18,
1997, in the name of Russel D. Leatherman et al. The disclosure of
this application is incorporated herein by reference.
[0220] Similarly, the customer may elect to receive audio/video
entertainment (block 1530), such as brief videos or music provided
to make the customer's visit to the fueling environment more
pleasurable. Additionally, the customer may elect to receive a wide
variety of information relating to news, weather, scores, stock
updates and traffic reports, just to name a few of the types of
information available (block 1535). As noted, this information may
be gathered and distributed locally by the central control system
50 or accessed via the remote network 94. Associating the central
site control system with the Internet will allow significant access
to various types of information.
[0221] Given the tremendous amount of information capable of being
provided at the dispenser based on customer selection or
independent merchandising, the present invention also provides for
suppressing the presentation of certain information as desired by
the customer (block 1540). For example, certain customers may not
want to receive advertisements for tobacco products, alcoholic
beverages or snack products. Preferably, any of the information may
be suppressed upon customer election and use of the
transponder.
[0222] In addition to suppressing available information, a customer
is also provided the ability to change or override a preference
previously elected during initial setup (block 1545). Typically,
the customer is queried via a prompt on the video display 100 of
the dispenser 18 to change or override a certain preference. Upon
receiving customer input via the key pad 102, 104, the dispenser
control system 80 (possibly in conjunction with the central control
system 50) will override and/or change the information provided on
the display 100. Changing the preference may include providing a
customer with a menu of available information display options.
Thus, the dispenser control system 80 will monitor the key pad 102,
104 for a customer response (block 1550). If the customer responds
accordingly (block 1555), the preference is modified or changed
(block 1560) by simply canceling the preference or selecting a new
preference from a displayed menu. The preference may be made
temporarily or permanently by updating the database and/or sending
an appropriate control signal to the transponder. After the
preference is changed, the dispenser will operate to continue the
fueling operation (block 1565) until the operation comes to an end
(block 1570). If the customer does not elect to change a predefined
preference, the dispenser control system 80 will simply continue
fueling until the end of the fueling operation (blocks 1565 and
1570). The dispenser may recognize other preferences to
precondition the fuel dispenser for the impending fueling
operation, including selecting a card type, payment method, account
type, or other related transaction information to prepare the
dispenser for fueling and carrying out the transaction. The
customer may also elect to receive specific types of advertising
and merchandising. Based on these elections, system operators may
provide additional independent but targeted advertising and
merchandising.
[0223] Preventing Fueling of Unauthorized Containers
[0224] The present invention may also provide for ensuring a
container is proper for receiving and carrying fuel delivered by
the dispenser 18. With reference to FIG. 27, a dispenser 18 is
shown having a delivery hose 76 and nozzle 78 for delivering fuel
to a vehicle or other acceptable container 280. Preferably, the
container 280 is a fuel container manufactured to reduce the risk
of igniting the fuel carried therein. The container 280 includes a
body 282 having a spout 284, filling aperture 286, handle 288 and a
transponder 290. Although active or passive transponders are
acceptable for this aspect of the invention, a passive transponder,
acting as a true transponder, is preferable. The transponder 290 is
designed to reflect an interrogation signal sent from the dispenser
interrogator 52 under the control of the dispenser control system
80. Upon receiving the interrogation signal, the transponder 290
will transmit a signal indicative of the type of container and
whether that container is acceptable for carrying fuel.
[0225] Attention is drawn to the flow chart of FIG. 28 depicting
the basic process of monitoring and detecting acceptable containers
for fueling. At the beginning of the process (block 1600), the
dispenser control system 80 will cause the dispenser interrogator
52 to transmit an interrogation signal in order to interrogate the
transponder 290 (block 1605). When a transponder is within the
interrogation field, it will transmit a signal in response to the
interrogation signal. The dispenser interrogator 52 will receive
this transponder signal, which typically includes indicia of the
transponder type or an identification indicia allowing the
controller to access a database to determine the type of
transponder in communication with the dispenser (block 1610). The
transponder may indicate that it is a personal transponder carried
by the person, such as a card or key fob, a vehicle-mounted
transponder or, in this particular instance, a stand-alone fuel
container. Whether the transponder signal directly indicates the
type of container being fueled or a database is accessed based on
the transponder ID, the dispenser control system 80 or an
associated control system is adapted to determine if the container
is acceptable for receiving fuel (block 1615). The transponder
indicia or database may also indicate the type or grade of fuel for
the particular container.
[0226] If the container is not an acceptable container (block
1620), the dispenser control system 80 will provide an audible or
visual signal to the customer and/or operator indicating that the
container is not acceptable for receiving fuel (block 1625). The
dispenser control system 80 will also act to prevent fueling by
deactivating the pump and fueling electronics (block 1630) and the
process ends (block 1635). If the control systems determine that
the transponder is in an acceptable container (block 1620), fueling
is authorized (block 1640) and fuel delivery begins (block 1645). A
proper container may be a vehicle fuel tank wherein the
vehicle-mounted transponder 64 will enable the control system to
recognize the vehicle as an acceptable container. In certain
embodiments, the vehicle transponder 64 may be mounted on or near
the vehicle's fill neck.
[0227] Preferably, the dispenser will continue communications with
the transponder to ensure that the transponder remains present
during the fueling operation and, optionally, the dispenser may
monitor movement of the transponder during this fueling operation
(blocks 1650 and 1655). If no movement is detected and the
transponder is present throughout fueling, the operation will end
once the container is full and the customer stops fueling. If the
transponder is moved or leaves the presence of the interrogation
field, fueling is brought to a halt (block 1660 and 1635). If the
transponder is moved and/or the dispenser determines that the
transponder is no longer present and the fueling operation is in
progress, the controller 80 may act to warn or instruct the
customer accordingly in addition to halting the fueling operation.
If the container 280 stops moving or is brought back to a proper
fueling location, the dispenser 18 may be adapted to continue
fueling as part of the same transaction. The proximity or location
monitoring features of this aspect of the invention are discussed
in greater detail above.
[0228] Restricting fueling to authorized containers in the manner
described above greatly reduces the risk of severe bodily injury or
death, not to mention substantial property damage that can occur
when highly flammable fuels are carried in improper containers. In
the preferred embodiment, the addition of a small passive
transponder to a fueling container is minimal and modifying a
dispenser 18 having an existing interrogator is basically updating
software to recognize the information received from the transponder
during interrogation. Notably, although a classical transponder is
the preferred embodiment, as noted earlier in the specification, a
transponder is used in a most generic sense and is deemed to
include remote communication units having a receiver, a
transmitter, or a combination thereof.
[0229] Pre-transaction Estimates
[0230] The present invention may also provide pre-transaction
estimates of the amount of fuel required to fill the vehicle's tank
along with the estimated total cost of filling the vehicle. This
embodiment requires a vehicle-mounted transponder operatively
associated with a vehicle control system or, at a minimum, the
vehicle's fuel tank in a manner wherein the transponder is able to
receive or determine information relating to fuel tank ullage. The
ullage information may include the amount of fuel required to fill
the tank, tank size and/or the quantity of fuel remaining in the
tank. This information may be passed to the transponder and then to
the dispenser, or used to generate data to be communicated to the
dispenser. Ullage information is any type of information which
relates to tank ullage or from which ullage can be derived. The
ullage here refers to the volume of the tank which can receive
additional fuel.
[0231] Referring now to FIGS. 29A and 29B, the basic process of
providing customer pre-transaction estimates with a vehicle
transponder is shown. The process begins (block 1700) when a
customer drives up to a fueling operation and the associated
transponder is interrogated by the dispenser interrogator 52 under
the control of the dispenser control system 80. Generally, the
transponder will return identification indicia (block 1705). The
transponder may also return indicia indicating the transponder
type. Alternatively, the transponder type may be included in the
transponder identification indicia or sent separately to enable the
dispenser control system 80 or other associated control system to
determine the transponder type.
[0232] As discussed above, determining the type of transponder is
helpful in many situations, such as determining whether a container
is authorized for receiving fuel or allowing a personal transponder
to leave the immediate fueling position during a fueling operation,
while acting to prevent a vehicle-mounted transponder from leaving
the fueling position. The dispenser control system 80 or associated
control system may also use the transponder identification indicia
to access a database correlating the type of transponder with the
identification indicia. Distinguishing transponder types is
discussed in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/966,237
filed Nov. 7, 1997, entitled TRANSPONDER DISTINCTION IN A FUELING
ENVIRONMENT in the name of William S. Johnson, Jr., the disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0233] Regardless of the type of identification indicia transmitted
to the dispenser 18, the dispenser control system 80 (in
cooperation with other control systems, if necessary) determines
the transponder type (block 1710). Next, it is determined whether
the transponder communicating with the dispenser is a vehicle
transponder (block 1715). If it is not, the fueling operation will
proceed (block 1795) and continue until fueling has ended (block
1785), wherein the process comes to an end (block 1790).
[0234] If the transponder is a vehicle transponder (block 1715), it
is determined whether or not the vehicle transponder is an
integrated transponder capable of accessing ullage information
(block 1720). This information is preferably derived from the
transponder identification indicia and transponder type information
transmitted to the dispenser. However, any manner of communicating
this information to the dispenser is acceptable and within the
inventive concept of the present invention. If the transponder is
vehicle-mounted but not integrated to obtain ullage information,
the fueling operation will start (block 1795) and continue until
fueling has ended (block 1785) wherein the process is ended (block
1790).
[0235] If it is determined that the transponder is integrated and
adapted to provide ullage information (block 1720), the dispenser
must determine whether the customer wants an estimate of the
transaction amount (block 1725). Typically, the estimate will be
associated with completely filling the vehicle's fuel tank. The
customer may provide a request for the fill-up at the dispenser by
entering a response on the key pad 102 based on a prompt or query
displayed on the display 100 (block 1730). Alternatively, the
transponder may relay information during communications with the
dispenser indicating that the customer has pre-authorized the
dispenser to calculate an estimate associated with fueling the
vehicle (block 1730).
[0236] If the ullage information has not already been received
during initial interrogation, the dispenser interrogator 52 will
interrogate the transponder 64 for the ullage indicia (block 1735)
and receive the ullage indicia accordingly (block 1740). Based on
the ullage indicia, the dispenser control system 80 or associated
control system will determine or calculate the vehicle's tank
ullage based on the ullage indicia received (block 1745).
[0237] The ullage indicia may include the exact ullage value
representing the amount of fuel required to fill the tank, or the
ullage indicia may indicate tank volume and the amount of gas
currently present in the tank, wherein the control system will run
the appropriate calculations to determine ullage. In yet another
embodiment, the ullage information may simply include vehicle
identification and remaining fuel indicia, and the control system
will access a database at the central control system 50 or at the
remote network 94 storing information relating to tank size for the
identified vehicle. Those of ordinary skill in the art will quickly
recognize various ways of obtaining ullage information. These ways
are considered within the scope of this disclosure and any related
claims which follow.
[0238] Once ullage is determined, the control system preferably
determines or calculates an estimated cost of fueling the vehicle
based on the ullage information. In order to do so, the type of
fuel and fuel grade must be determined (block 1750). The dispenser
controller may provide a prompt at the display 100 for the customer
to select the type of fuel and grade desired for fueling (block
1755). Alternatively, the initial information received from the
transponder may provide information on the type and grade of fuel
desired for fueling, and the associated control system will
determine fuel type and grade accordingly (blocks 1750 and
1755).
[0239] Once tank ullage and the type and grade of fuel are
determined, the associated control systems will calculate the
estimated cost for filling the vehicle (block 1760) by multiplying
the ullage value by the fuel cost. Preferably, the estimated fuel
quantity and the cost for fueling the vehicle with the selected
type and grade is displayed to the customer on the display 100
(block 1765). At this point, the customer is given the option to
continue with fueling. The customer may, for example, be provided
with a prompt to begin fueling (block 1770) wherein the customer
will respond by pressing a key on the key pad 102 (block 1775). If
the customer elects not to fuel based on this information, the
fueling operation is ended before it ever begins (block 1795). If
the customer elects to continue fueling, the dispenser will start
the fueling operation (block 1780) and continue fueling until the
tank is full or the customer otherwise ends the operation (block
1785) wherein the process comes to an end (block 1790).
[0240] Determining estimated fueling totals benefits customers in
many ways, especially customers wanting to pay cash at the
dispenser using the cash acceptor 90 (shown in FIG. 3). As noted
earlier, the difficulty with cash acceptors is providing the
customer with the proper change when the amount of fuel purchased
is less than the dollar amount placed in the cash acceptor.
Providing an estimated amount required to fill the vehicle tank
will allow the customer or dispenser to calculate a dollar amount
which will not exceed an amount required to fill the vehicle. For
example, the dispenser may determine that it will take $21.60 worth
of premium, unleaded gasoline to fill the vehicle tank. If the
customer only has two ten-dollar bills and a five-dollar bill, the
customer will know that if the two ten-dollar bills are placed in
the cash acceptor, he will come substantially close to maximizing
the amount of fuel delivered to the vehicle without needing
change.
[0241] Although the customer can elect to purchase any amount of
fuel, it is often beneficial to determine how much fuel the vehicle
will accept before determining how much fuel one wishes to
purchase. In certain applications, the cash acceptor could be
monitored to determine the amount of cash received and take
appropriate action if the estimated filling total could not meet or
exceeded that amount. In summary, the dispenser associated control
system may determine if change is necessary, based on the ullage
information, the fuel selected and the amount of cash received by
the cash acceptor.
[0242] Attention is drawn to FIG. 30 wherein a process is shown for
providing a customer with estimated cost totals in order to make
decisions on the amount of cash to enter into a cash acceptor for
payment. The process begins (block 1800) where the dispenser
control system 80 receives ullage information, fuel type and grade
as discussed above (block 1805). Based on this information, the
amount of fuel necessary to fill the vehicle and a corresponding
cost estimate is calculated and displayed to the customer (block
1810). The customer may make fueling decisions based on this
information, such as deciding what type of payment to make or how
much fuel to purchase.
[0243] Assuming the customer is using a cash acceptor, the
dispenser control system 80 will operate in conjunction with the
cash acceptor 90 to determine the amount of cash payment (block
1815). If the payment made is less than the estimated cost of
fueling (block 1820), then the dispenser control system 80 will
allow fueling for the amount of payment (block 1825) until the
operation is ended (block 1830). If the customer has placed more
cash in the cash acceptor than necessary to completely fuel the
vehicle (block 1820), the dispenser control system 80 will act to
inform the customer that change will be required, preferably, using
the display 100 (block 1835). The dispenser control system 80 will
next prompt the customer using the display 100 on how to receive
change (block 1840). The customer may be required to receive credit
on his or her transponder or go into the station store and obtain
change at one of the transaction terminals, just to point out a
couple of options. Additionally, the dispenser may provide a
customer with the choice to opt out of the transaction (also block
1840). The dispenser control system 80 will determine whether or
not to refund the customer's initial payment (block 1845) based on
a customer input received at key pad 102 (block 1855). If a refund
of the payment is not desired and the customer chooses to receive
change by other means, fueling will begin (block 1850) until the
process ends (block 1860). If a refund is requested by the customer
(blocks 1855 and 1845), the dispenser control system 80 will cause
the cash acceptor 92 to eject the customer payment (block 1865) and
the process is ended (block 1860). Those skilled in the art should
quickly recognize the added benefit in providing customer
information before fueling relating to the amount of the potential
fuel purchased, especially in light of the difficulties in
receiving change associated with cash acceptors.
[0244] It should be recognized that the various aspects discussed
herein can be mixed and matched to provide a fueling environment
with various combinations of capabilities. Each aspect was
discussed individually in order to provide a more clear disclosure.
Furthermore, the various flow charts and processes disclosed herein
generally represent programs which are stored in memory and run on
an associated controller. Given the shared control responsibilities
between the dispenser control systems and the central control
system in a typical fueling environment, the control systems
defined in the claims that follow are to be construed as including
control features provided by dispenser control systems, central
control systems and remote network control systems, alone or in
combination. Those skilled in the art will recognize the tremendous
flexibility in providing the various control aspects throughout the
numerous control systems (including remote networks) in and outside
of the fueling environment.
[0245] Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those
skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. It
should be understood that all such modifications and improvements
have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and
readability, but are properly within the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *
References