Data processing: measuring – calibrating – or testing – Testing system – Including specific communication means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-18
2002-10-22
Hoff, Marc S. (Department: 2857)
Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing
Testing system
Including specific communication means
C705S050000, C705S413000, C222S027000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06470288
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a remote addressable fuel dispenser system, and in particular, an interactive fuel dispenser with remote telecommunication functionality and connectivity.
2. Description of the Related Art
Traditional fuel dispensers contain a fuel pump, a fuel meter, and a display screen to display the quantity and cost of fuel being dispensed. In addition, many of the fuel dispenser's manufactured today contain a “pay-at-the-pump” feature. This feature allows customers to pay for fuel and conduct other transactions directly at the fuel dispenser. A central processor or CPU integrates the fuel components, such as pump, meter, and display, along with pay-at-the-pump components such as a credit card or ATM (automatic teller machine) debit card reader. The central processing unit runs an operating system and other software in order to perform the function of integrating the various components of the dispenser.
One problem with current fuel dispensers is the inability to connect a wireless input device, such as a keyboard or mouse, to a fuel dispenser for running diagnostics. Current fuel dispenser designs traditionally require permanent connection to another computer to run diagnostic software or to monitor the functionality of individual fuel dispenser components. For example, a technician at an in-store Point-of-Sale (POS) computer/server can access the permanently connected fuel dispenser diagnostics. Alternately, a technician physically at the fuel dispenser can have access to the dispenser for diagnostics through a direct wired connection.
A second problem with current fuel dispensers is the inability to run the most current or up to date diagnostic software for diagnostics of the fuel dispenser system software and individual fuel dispenser components. Traditionally, diagnostic software is either permanently stored on ROM or other suitable means within the fuel dispenser or on the Point-of-Sale (POS) computer/server. Consequently, a technician servicing the fuel dispenser has access only to the built-in diagnostic software of the fuel dispenser or the diagnostic software stored on the POS computer.
Another problem with current fuel dispensers is the inability to update system, operational and diagnostic software to the most current versions. Traditionally, fuel dispenser software is either permanently stored on ROM or equivalent storage means within a fuel dispenser. Alternatively, diagnostic software may be maintained on the POS computer/server. For example, if the diagnostic software is maintained on ROM or similarly permanent storage means, the only way to update the diagnostic software would be to replace the ROM. Alternatively, if the diagnostic software is stored on the POS server, system diagnostic software update versions must first be downloaded to the server before being able to execute the diagnostics on the fuel dispenser.
Another problem with current fuel dispensers is the inability to have the fuel dispenser operate as a fully functional automatic teller machine (ATM). Many modern fuel dispensers manufactured today have pay-at-the-pump functionality which allows a customer the ability to purchase fuel and other convenient store and fast food items while at the fuel dispenser. However, fuel dispensers today do not operate as a fully functional ATM machine for allowing customers to receive legal tender in the form of cash being dispensed from the fuel dispenser.
Another limitation of current fuel dispensers is the inability to have a fuel dispenser function as a kiosk device. Currently kiosk devices operate allowing customers to have telecommunications connections to the internet, voice telephone connection, and integrated audio/video teleconferencing, or other telephony connection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a remote addressable fuel dispenser with telecommunications connection for interactive communication. The fuel dispenser contains a processor means operably connected to fuel dispenser components, such as a fuel pump, meter, and a display or output device. The fuel dispenser may contain a wireless input device, such as a wireless keyboard, mouse, or other peripheral, which is in wireless communication with the processor means. The wireless input device may be used by a service technician to run fuel dispenser diagnostics while the technician is physically at the fuel dispenser. In addition, the fuel dispenser may contain a remote communication means for remote telecommunications between the fuel dispenser and a remote telecommunication device.
The invention, in one embodiment, is a remote addressable fuel dispenser system for fuel dispenser diagnostics and remote telecommunication. The remote addressable fuel dispenser system includes at least one fuel dispenser component. A processor is operably connected to the fuel dispenser component and runs dispenser system software. A wireless input device is in operable communication with the processor by a wireless connection system. In one particular further embodiment, a remote communication system is used for remote telecommunication. In a further embodiment, the fuel dispenser is in operable communication with one of a bank server and a bank computer network.
The invention, in another embodiment thereof, consists of a remote addressable fuel dispenser for fuel dispenser diagnostics and remote telecommunication. The remote addressable fuel dispenser system has at least one fuel dispenser component. A processor is in operable communication with the fuel dispenser component and runs dispenser system software. A remote communication system is used during fuel dispenser diagnostics.
The invention, in yet another form thereof, is a remote addressable fuel dispenser system for remote telecommunication. The remote addressable fuel dispenser system has at least one fuel dispenser component. A processor is in operable communication with the fuel dispenser component. The processor runs dispenser system software. A remote communication system is used for telecommunication.
An advantage of the present invention is the ability to connect a wireless input device to the fuel dispenser. The wireless input device can be used while performing the function of fuel dispenser diagnostics. There is no physical connection between the wireless input device and the fuel dispenser.
Another advantage of the present invention is a remote addressable dispenser. The remote addressability permits direct remote communication system for communication between the fuel dispenser and a telecommunication device. The direct communication allows one to “call-in”, access, or log-into the fuel dispenser from a remote location. The communication is made directly to the addressable dispenser and not through a POS (point-of-sale) computer/server. When the remote telecommunication device is a remote computer/server containing fuel dispenser diagnostic software, a technician is able to perform diagnostics on the fuel dispenser while in communication with a remote computer. In addition, the remote communication system may be used for communicating between the fuel dispenser and a bank computer network or the local phone system for placing local and long distance telephone calls.
Another advantage of the present invention is the ability to run the most current diagnostic software on a fuel dispenser. Through a remote communication system, a technician is able to run the most current diagnostic software, which may be located on a remote computer/server.
An additional advantage of the present invention is that the technician needs only to update the diagnostic software on the remote server rather than on each individual fuel dispenser.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is the ability to run diagnostic functions on a fuel dispenser from a remote or off-site location. A technician is able to access the fuel dispenser through the remote communication system. For example, a technician at a remote or off-site location, using a remote computer or serv
Bolton Michael L.
Keidel Murl J.
Young Kenneth D.
Charioui Mohamed
Hoff Marc S.
Knuth Randall J.
Tokheim Corporation
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