U.S. patent application number 11/680504 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-27 for audio/video display equipment for gas pumps.
Invention is credited to Gary Alan LePon, Lee David Olesen.
Application Number | 20070221288 11/680504 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34577264 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070221288 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Olesen; Lee David ; et
al. |
September 27, 2007 |
AUDIO/VIDEO DISPLAY EQUIPMENT FOR GAS PUMPS
Abstract
A gasoline pump apparatus comprises one or more pump nozzles, a
sensor configured to detect nozzle removal from and replacement to
a nozzle storage bay, and a first housing enclosing at least some
gas dispensing apparatus. In addition, a second housing encloses at
least one video display and at least one video display controller.
The at least one video display controller is coupled to the sensor
such that the video display output changes with changes in nozzle
position. In some embodiments, the second housing is configured to
be explosion proof.
Inventors: |
Olesen; Lee David; (Poway,
CA) ; LePon; Gary Alan; (Lahaina, HI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
34577264 |
Appl. No.: |
11/680504 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10976197 |
Oct 28, 2004 |
|
|
|
11680504 |
Feb 28, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49238 20150115;
B67D 7/86 20130101; B67D 7/221 20130101; B67D 7/84 20130101; B67D
7/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/094 |
International
Class: |
B65B 1/30 20060101
B65B001/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 28, 2003 |
CN |
2003101033184.4 |
Dec 22, 2003 |
CN |
200310121750.6 |
Dec 22, 2003 |
CN |
200320129817.6 |
Claims
1. A gasoline pump apparatus comprising: one or more pump nozzles;
a sensor configured to detect nozzle removal from and replacement
to a nozzle storage bay; a first housing enclosing at least some
gas dispensing apparatus; a second housing enclosing at least one
video display and at least one video display controller; wherein
said at least one video display controller is coupled to said
sensor such that said video display output changes with changes in
nozzle position.
2. The gasoline pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second
housing is configured to be explosion proof.
3. The gasoline pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second
housing is attached as a retro-fit onto said first housing.
4. A gasoline pump apparatus comprising: one or more pump nozzles;
a first housing enclosing at least some gas dispensing apparatus; a
second explosion proof housing attached to said first housing and
enclosing at least one video display and at least one video display
controller.
5. The gasoline pump apparatus of claim 4, wherein said video
display controller is coupled to a remote control facility via a
communication channel.
6. The gasoline pump apparatus of claim 5, wherein said
communication channel comprises at least a portion which is
wireless.
7. The gasoline pump apparatus of claim 4, comprising a cooling
system.
8. The gasoline pump apparatus of claim 7, wherein said cooling
system comprises a water cooled radiator.
9. The gasoline pump apparatus of claim 8, wherein said cooling
system comprises a semiconductor refrigerator.
10. A method of providing a gas pump with media display capability
comprising: attaching a second housing to the top of an existing
pump apparatus housing; routing power wiring and pump nozzle sensor
wiring between said first and second housings; and coupling media
display control circuitry in said second housing to a remote
control system.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein said coupling is performed
wirelessly.
12. The method of claim 10, additionally comprising transmitting
content from said remote control system to said media display
control circuitry.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/976,197, filed on Oct. 28, 2004 and
entitled Audio/Video Display Equipment for Gas Pumps. The
disclosure of this prior application is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a gas pump with audio/video
displays which can play multimedia advertisements.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, the functions of gas pumps installed at gas
stations are still quite simple, and involve only refilling and
gasoline metering functions. When refilling the tank, drivers and
passengers typically have nothing to do but wait for the completion
of tank refilling.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,039 describes a gas pump having an
authorization control system that controls the gas pump and that
can also display advertising messages and perform commercial
transactions during the refilling process.
[0007] Although this patent describes one possible approach to
implement multimedia displays at a gas pump, improvements in this
system are desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In one embodiment, the invention comprises a gasoline pump
apparatus comprising:
[0009] one or more pump nozzles, a sensor configured to detect
nozzle removal from and replacement to a nozzle storage bay, and a
first housing enclosing at least some gas dispensing apparatus. In
addition, a second housing encloses at least one video display and
at least one video display controller. The at least one video
display controller is coupled to the sensor such that the video
display output changes with changes in nozzle position. In some
embodiments, the second housing is configured to be explosion
proof.
[0010] In another embodiment a gasoline pump apparatus comprises
one or more pump nozzles; a first housing enclosing at least some
gas dispensing apparatus, and a second explosion proof housing
attached to the first housing and enclosing at least one video
display and at least one video display controller.
[0011] Methods of providing a gas pump with media display
capability include attaching a second housing to the top of an
existing pump apparatus housing, routing power wiring and pump
nozzle sensor wiring between the first and second housings, and
coupling media display control circuitry in the second housing to a
remote control system. The coupling to the remote control system
may be performed wirelessly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a gas pump display in one
embodiment of the invention
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of a first embodiment of a gas pump
implementing one embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of a gas pump
implementing one embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
retro-fit housing for audio/video player components in an open
configuration;
[0016] FIGS. 4B-4D are perspective views of embodiments of
retro-fit housings for audio/video player components in a closed
configuration;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a pump nozzle position
detector circuit;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a voltage/current limiting
circuit which may be provided as part of an explosion proof
design;
[0019] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a
semiconductor cooling unit;
[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates a semiconductor refrigerator;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of one method of content display
which may be performed by the system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of one system embodiment.
The system includes many conventional gas pump elements.
Traditional gas pumps 10, for example, include pump nozzles 12, gas
pipes 14 connected with the pump nozzles 12, processing, system
control, and motor control circuitry 16, and a pump motor 18. Gas
supply pipes are connected with pump nozzles, as are a gas-oil
segregator (not shown), a flow meter 17, and one or more
sensors/switches 19 that detect nozzle operation by a motorist. In
operation, a motorist takes up a pump nozzle which typically trips
a sensor switch indicating that the nozzle has been removed from
its storage bay. The motorist then turns on the pump nozzle,
tripping another signal switch and initiating gasoline flow. The
gas pump computer control board receives the signals and drives the
pump, pumping gas from the reservoir 20 to the nozzle and into the
vehicle. The control circuit monitors the meter on the gas pipe and
calculates the amounts for display on a gallon/dollar display 21.
When the volume of the fuel reaches the set value/volume or a full
tank is sensed, the control circuitry shuts down the pump 18, the
refilling stops, and the user places the nozzle back in the storage
bay.
[0023] The functions of the traditional gas pumps are quite simple,
only refilling and metering. The invention aims at installing
audio/video players 28, namely, video displays and the sound system
on the current gas pumps to play, for example, dynamic multimedia
advertisements, news, or other information during the refilling
process.
[0024] The above mentioned video display device includes a video
display 30, a sound system 32 and a controller 34 which can be
installed at any place of the gas pump box, such as on the top or
in the middle. Especially advantageous embodiments, described
further below, interface with the existing pump components in a
very simple way. As shown in FIG. 1, the audio/video controller 34
need only connect to the nozzle removal sensor 18a and to the power
source 26. The audio/video player components 28 may be incorporated
into the housing of a conventional pump 10, or, in some especially
advantageous embodiments, the player system 28 is provided as a
retro-fit kit comprising a separate housing placed, for example, on
top of an existing installed pump 10.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the control circuitry 16 associated with
the conventional pump operation communicates with the main gas
station computer 36. The controller 34 for the audio/video display,
however, may communicate with a remote control system 40 via a
separate communication path 42. The controller 34 may perform data
transmissions and communications with the control system at
different places by means of wireless networks (such as CDMA, GPRS,
satellites, 802.11 wirelesses LAN) or wired networks (ISDN, ADSL,
DDN dedicated lines), or a combination of these methods. It has
been found advantageous to implement the communication channel 42
as a standard TCP/IP protocol in which each player 28 is assigned
an IP address (static or dynamic) for communication to/from the
remote control system 40. In some embodiments, the players connect
to the control system via a satellite connection. It has been found
especially cost effective to utilize at least some wired
communication connections such as DSL or cable modem to a wireless
router placed at the gas station facility. The display controllers
located at the station are then wirelessly networked via
communication path 42 (which is wireless in this embodiment) to
share a common incoming internet connection at the gas station.
[0026] FIGS. 2 and 3 are overall front views of gas pumps with
video displays on the top. As shown in these figures, the gas pumps
with video displays include the box 10, pump nozzles 12 installed
outside the box, gas pipes connected to the pump nozzles and inside
the box 10, and the motor and control circuitry which are connected
to the gas pumps. The difference between this embodiment and the
traditional gas pumps lies in that this embodiment has a video
display 30 which plays dynamic video such as advertisements, news,
etc. and plays audio with a sound system on the pump box. A
controller inside the pump box controlling video displays and the
sound system to work properly. In some embodiments, such as shown
in FIG. 1, the controller receives only power and a sensor input
from the conventional pump components.
[0027] As mentioned above, in some advantageous embodiments, at
least some of the display components are provided in a separate
housing that can be added in a simple way to existing gas pumps.
This dramatically reduces the investment required for a gas station
to implement a media display system. Referring now to FIG. 4A, the
housing 50 may enclose a controller 52 (which may comprise a
general purpose microprocessor based computer such as a standard
IBM compatible PC) to control the video displays to play dynamic
multimedia advertisements in real-time, a circuit board 54
including circuitry to detect the pump nozzle removal from the
storage bay by monitoring the sensor 19 (FIG. 1), an audio
amplifier 58 and a power supply 60.
[0028] In order to fulfill the function of transmitting
information, displays 30 are in installed in the front and the rear
of the housing 50, which may comprise hinged door panels. The
housing 50 may have a trapezoidal cross section so the display
faces are directed slightly downward toward the viewer. In some
embodiments, a VGA splitter 62 is set inside the box. The VGA
splitter 62 divides the video signals output by the controller 52
into two sets of signals, to make the two displays 30 on each side
show the same images simultaneously.
[0029] The video display 30 can be CRT electronic displays, plasma
display (PDP), LED display, normal LCD display (LCD), or
high-brightness LCD display (VHB LCD). When the CRT electronic
displays, plasma displays (PDP), LED displays, and normal LCD
displays are put outdoors, the images shown are not clear in the
direct sunshine and the visual angles are narrow. When the
high-brightness LCD displays (VHB LCD) are used outdoors, the
images are very clear with bright colors and wide visual angles, so
the high-brightness LCD displays have been found advantageous in
many embodiments.
[0030] The audio amplifier 58 is connected to speakers 64 for
providing sound to the user. The controller 52, installed in the
enclosure 50 and used to control the video displays 30 and the
speakers 64, may be configured such that when someone refills the
tank, the controller 52 starts playing advertisements at the point
when the pump was last shut off when a new user takes up the pump
nozzle until the current cycle of refilling is ended and the pump
nozzle is again replaced. The controller 52 can also obtain
management information such as playing time and playing frequency
of an advertisement or other content and transmit the management
data to the management center, to track the total play time and
frequency of a advertisement etc. of different pumps at different
places; and download and update the audio/video content to be
played.
[0031] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4A is air cooled by fans
68 mounted on top of the housing 52. During operation, the fans 68
force warm air inside the box upward and outward, and let in the
cool air from outside through ventilation openings 70. In addition,
a rain-proof and dust prevention cover (not shown) may be installed
on the outside of the enclosure.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the
circuit board 54 which monitors the pump nozzles. As shown in this
Figure, it may comprise an optical coupler ICI, a microprocessor U1
and an electronic converting chip U2. By means of connecting the
anode of diode in the optical coupler ICI to a 5V power supply,
connecting the cathode of ICI to the action signal output side of
the pump nozzles, connecting the collector of triode in the optical
coupler ICI to the signal input side of the microprocessor U1, and
connecting the signal output side of the microprocessor U1 to the
serial port/parallel port (e.g. USB port) of the controller 52 via
the voltage converting chip U2, the status signal of the pump
nozzle is transmitted to the controller 52 at any time, so as to
make the controller 52 play advertisements and other information
based on the status of the pump nozzles.
[0033] In some embodiments, to help prevent damage or malfunction
due to overheating, a thermostat switch is provided on the power
supply 60. In this embodiment, a thermostat switch is in serial
connection with the input side of the power supply 60, and the
thermostat switch is provided with a function of monitoring the
internal ambient temperature in the box. Once the internal
temperature in the box exceeds the range of the normal operation
temperature of electronic elements (preset), the thermostat switch
will immediately cut off the output of the switch power supply and
switch off all the electric equipments; when the internal
temperature in the box drops to a safely low temperature value, the
thermostat switch power supply will resume the power output.
[0034] In some embodiments, the housing 50 is designed to be
explosion proof. Because the area around the gas pump may be an
explosive environment with flammable gas fumes present, one aspect
of the invention is the incorporation of at least some of the
electrical components of the audio/video display system into an
explosion proof housing. In some cases, such as when the display
apparatus is located above the hose connections to the pump (e.g.
FIG. 2), an explosion proof housing is not always necessary.
However, it becomes a significant concern when the display
apparatus is located below the hose connection to the pump (e.g.
FIG. 3).
[0035] The basic design of explosion proof housings is known, and
commercial providers of such housings are available. Making the
system explosion proof requires addressing several different
concerns. One concern is the connection to the pump nozzle storage
bay sensor switch 18a. To meet requirements for explosion-proof
systems and to improve the explosion-proof quality of gas pump's
box, a safety fuse circuit may be implemented at the switch of the
pump nozzles. As shown in FIG. 6, the safety fuse circuit mainly
consists of a fuse and a regulator tube, mainly to limit the
voltage and the current; the safety fuse circuit is in series
connection with the pump nozzle switches, and RVV-2.times.0.5
mm.sup.2 cables are used for connection. Once the voltage or the
current of the pump nozzle circuit exceeds the values limited by
the circuit component zener diodes and fuse, the safety fuse
circuit will cut off the circuit connection between the video
displays and the pump nozzle signals immediately. Another issue to
be addressed is the sound system. In the explosion proof
embodiment, passive speakers are mounted entirely internal to the
housing 50. Still another issue to be addressed in the explosion
proof design is cooling. Air can not be circulated through the
enclosure from outside as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. In the
explosion proof version, the enclosure may contain a cooling unit
mounted to the inner wall of the enclosure. The cooling unit may
comprise essentially a radiator with tubes or passages that
communicate with input/output ports on the outside of the housing.
The passages can then be air-cooled, water-cycled, or
compressor-refrigerated, for example from outside the housing.
[0036] In one advantageous embodiment, semiconductor-chip
refrigeration (e.g. a Peltier cooling device) may be used. As shown
in FIGS. 7 and 8, a semiconductor electronic-chip refrigerated
cooling unit includes the radiator 112, the semiconductor
refrigerator 113, the radiator 114 and the fan 115. The cool end of
the semiconductor refrigerator 113 is located inside the box, on
which the radiator 112 is fixed for absorbing the heat generated by
the video display 30, the control computer 52, the circuit board
54, as well as the power circuit 44 etc. and to reduce the internal
temperature in the box; the heat end of the semiconductor
refrigerator 113 is located outside the box, on the surface of
which the radiator 114 and the fan 115 are fixed for radiating the
heat absorbed by the semiconductor refrigerator 113 to keep it in a
certain temperature. FIG. 8 is a diagram of the internal structure
of the semiconductor refrigerator 113. No refrigerant is required
for these devices, which are commercially available. The quantity
of the electronic chips of the semiconductor refrigerator can be
any number of devices as needed, such as 8 pieces, 10 pieces, or 12
pieces based on the heat volume generated by the components inside
the housing. In addition, fans can be installed on the cool end of
the semiconductor refrigerator 113 for the purpose to shorten the
radiation time and to improve the radiation effect.
[0037] In some embodiments, a thermostat switch is designed at the
power input side of the semiconductor refrigerator 113, and this
thermostat switch is connected to a temperature sensor set inside
the enclosure. During the operation process of the equipments, only
when the internal temperature in the box reaches the set
temperature does the semiconductor refrigerator 113 start working;
while the internal temperature in the box does not reach the
temperature set, the semiconductor refrigerator 113 is not
powered.
[0038] FIGS. 4B-4D illustrate embodiments of audio/video player
housings in closed configurations, including both air circulating
embodiments, and sealed explosion proof embodiments.
[0039] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of one operational sequence which may
be undertaken by the displays under the control of the controller.
As shown in this Figure, when the gas pump is idle and the pump
nozzle is hung up at block 80, the controller 52 makes the displays
30 play static advertisement pictures at block 82 which typically
do not change frequently. When someone takes up the pump nozzle for
fuelling at block 84, the circuit board detects such a status and
notifies the controller 52, whereupon the controller controls the
video displays to start playing dynamic multimedia advertisements
at block 86 which have been pre-stored in the memory of the
controller. Looping back to block 80 after the fuelling is finished
and the pump nozzle is hung up, the circuit board notifies the
controller 52 of this status, and the controller stops displays
playing dynamic advertisements and returns to playing static
advertisements.
[0040] Embodiments of the invention not only use high-brightness
LCD displays on gas pumps, but also realize the objective to play
various information based on the signals of the pump nozzles being
taken up/hung up. The system can automatically test the actions of
the pump nozzle of being taken up/hung up and automatically play
the information of various contents including images and sound
according to the pump nozzle actions, and account the playing time,
frequency, content, and order of various information. Also, the
system can perform communications with the management center at
different places, transmit various information and update the
advertisement content via wired network modes (such as ISDN, ADSL,
or DDN dedicated line, etc.) or wireless modes (such as CDMA, GPRS,
satellites, 802.11 wireless LAN, etc.). Furthermore, embodiments of
the invention have not only solved an issue of applying displays in
such explosive dangerous environments as gas stations, but also
solved an issue of heat radiation of the electric equipments so as
to ensure a safe and normal operation of the electric equipments
and gas pumps in the explosive dangerous area. The above mentioned
is the specific practice and the technical application principle of
various invention embodiments. The scope of the invention is
defined by the following claims, and any equivalents should be
within the protective range of this invention.
* * * * *