Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records – Credit or identification card systems
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-28
2001-02-06
Lee, Michael G (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
Credit or identification card systems
C235S384000, C705S413000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182893
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an apparatus having multiple point-of-sale card reading/keypad devices on each operable side of the fuel dispensing apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fuel dispensing apparatus having multiple point-of-sale card reading/keypad devices on each operable side of the fuel dispensing apparatus wherein the placement of one of the aforementioned card reader/keypad devices is such that it is conveniently accessible to and operated by shorter or wheelchair confined individuals.
BACKGROUND ART
U.S. Government regulatory agencies have considered regulations concerning the accessability of point-of-sale magnetic card reading fuel dispensing machines for the benefit of shorter or wheelchair confined individuals. Specifically, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires public facilities to be “readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities”. Moreover, individual state action setting out even more stringent requirements has occurred. In California, for instance, code requires the highest operable part of two card readers, or 20% of card readers, whichever is greater shall be no more than 54″ from the base of the fuel dispenser and that the fuel dispenser shall be mounted at grade.
As a result, a need has been created for a retail apparatus, such as, for instance, a fuel dispensing apparatus which can accommodate a second card reading device having an associated keypad for each operable side of the fuel dispensing apparatus. Applicant's invention meets this long-felt need with a novel second card reading device and keypad located on the exterior housing of a fuel dispensing apparatus such that they are conveniently accessible to and operated by handicapped individuals. The proposed retail apparatus can accommodate magnetic strip cards, bar coded cards, smart cards, RF transponders, and biometric identification medium (e.g., fingerprint) in order to authorize and process a retail transaction.
The second, or auxiliary, keypad described in the present invention is likely to be, but need not be, implemented using a security scheme described in co-pending application 09/020,378 filed Feb. 9, 1998 entitled “Keypad Scanning Security System”, said co-pending application incorporated herein by reference.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention describes a system for recording a credit or debit transaction on a fuel dispensing apparatus comprising first card reader means for receiving data from a magnetic strip card situated on the exterior housing of the fuel dispensing apparatus and second card reader means for receiving data from a magnetic strip card situated on the exterior housing of the fuel dispensing apparatus such that the second card reader means is physically accessible to handicapped individuals. The present invention further comprises an interface board accepting input from the first and second card readers and keypad devices wherein the interface board is capable of determining which of the first and second card readers and keypad devices is currently sending data. A card reader in dispenser (CRIND®) board is coupled to the interface board for accepting the output from the interface board and forwarding same to a processing device (typically a point-of-sale POS device connected to all fuel dispensing devices) in order to verify and complete the desired transaction.
CRIND® is an acronym for “Card Reader IN Dispenser” which is a style of fuel dispensing apparatus made and sold by Gilbarco, Inc. of Greensboro, NC. Usage of the term CRIND® in this application implies fuel dispensing apparatus having card reading and keypad capabilities. These capabilities typically include communication of card information to a remotely (i.e., not on the fuel dispensing apparatus) situated station controller. If desired, a CRIND® board can be configured to process touchscreen input data as well.
One object of the invention is to provide a card reader/keypad device on a fuel dispensing apparatus such that it is conveniently accessible to and operated by handicapped individuals.
It is another object of the invention to link a pair of card reader/keypad devices through an interface board to a Card Reader in Dispenser board (CRIND®) without affecting the operation of either card reader/keypad device.
Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will become evident as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings described below.
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Greene John C.
Weinstein Howard
Coats & Bennett P.L.L.C.
Fureman Jared J.
Lee Michael G
Marconi Commerce Systems Inc.
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