Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – Spiral or helical type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-03
2001-02-06
Wong, Don (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
Spiral or helical type
C141S094000, C141S351000, C340S870030, C222S192000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06184846
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to a loop antenna for placement within a fuel dispenser housing face to facilitate automatic financial transactions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fuel dispensing environments have been evolving rapidly with the introduction and development of wireless technology and integrated transaction services. Customers rapidly grew to accept and even demand “pay-at-the-pump” technology wherein a customer did not have to enter the gas station building, but merely had to insert a credit card or debit card into a magnetic card reader on the fuel dispenser. The fuel dispenser was then connected to a remote network, which would secure authorization for the transaction and provide the appropriate cost information to the financial institution so that the account could be properly charged. More advanced units also include cash acceptors which allow a customer to insert cash, in either change or bill form, into the fuel dispenser to pay for the fuel purchased. These cash acceptors work much like conventional vending machines and may provide change. In either situation, a magnetic card reader or a cash acceptor, the customer still had to perform the additional step of interacting with the fuel dispenser to purchase the fuel or other goods and services.
The next improvement on this payment facilitation technology was the concept of wireless transactions. The customer would mount a transponder on a card or, later, a vehicle for identification purposes. Typically, the identification information would be coupled with financial account information, either a credit card account, a debit card account or the like. Two antennas were mounted on the top of the fuel dispenser. The first antenna would “ping” the transponder on the vehicle at a first radio frequency, in effect asking, “who are you?” The transponder in the card or on the vehicle would respond on a different radio frequency, stating, in effect, “I am an authorized user and have money to spend to purchase fuel, please authorize me to purchase fuel.” Additional information could also be conveyed. The fuel dispenser would then verify the identification information sent by the transponder, typically over a remote network, and then the fuel transaction would proceed. An example of such an arrangement is seen in the S5000 system sold by the TIRIS division of Texas Instruments.
This communication was implemented by providing a forward link to the transponder by way of an inductive loop transmitting at approximately 134 kHz. This forward link antenna, is typically an oblong coil of wire (about 6 or 7 turns) positioned above the fueling area and more typically over the fuel dispenser. The return link typically operates in the range of 900 MHz and usually requires a second whip antenna. The transmitting loop antennas have a directive pattern that is in the form of lobes radiating out the front and back of the loop. Both antennas must have their radiation patterns situated in a manner that allows both patterns to link with the transponder. In general, the forward link is more important than the return link, since the forward link is a magnetic field, which tends to fall off quicker with distance as is well understood.
The above described arrangement eliminates the need for the customer to perform the step of interacting with the fuel dispenser for the financial part of the transaction, although in the conventional transponder implementation, the transponder had to be brought relatively close to the dispenser to be “pinged.” The customer must then merely lift the nozzle, insert it in the gas tank of the vehicle, select the fuel grade, dispense the fuel and then return the nozzle to its cradle. All of the financial transactions are taken care of automatically.
One of the problems with this approach was the need for the antennas on the fuel dispensers. Because this technology is in hot demand, vendors have to retrofit existing fuel dispensers with antennas to perform these functions. The initial solution mounted a loop antenna on the top of the fuel dispenser. While this arrangement performed adequately, these loop antennas were unsightly. Additionally, these antennas directly conflict with existing signage and decoration panels mounted at the top of many existing dispensers.
Thus there remains a need for an antenna which is easily retrofitted onto fuel dispensers already deployed into the field and which is aesthetically appealing and does not conflict with existing advertising signs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aforesaid concerns are addressed by providing an enhanced radiation loop in a molded package. The loop radiation characteristics are enhanced by the use of a low loss loop constructed of several turns of a flat conductive metal band, such as aluminum or copper, arranged in a concentric coil. The loop is preferably embedded in a molded overbody for the fuel dispenser. The overbody acts as an insulation layer, includes a plurality of fasteners or fastener receptacles, and is molded to present a cosmetically pleasing integration of the antenna assembly onto the front face of an existing fuel dispenser. The antenna is sized to optimize emissions at a desired frequency as is well understood. The overbody is preferably formed from a suitable dielectric material to insulate the antenna, yet still allow transmission of electromagnetic waves therethrough at the desired frequency. Care must be taken in the choice of materials in light of the petroleum product environment in which the overbody will function. However, materials resistant to degradation in the presence of petroleum products are well known in the art.
In the preferred embodiment, the loop antenna is formed from one turn of aluminum tubing. Aluminum is preferred because of its corrosion-resistant properties in an outdoor environment. Further, one turn has been determined to yield very good results while eliminating some of the molding concerns present with multiple turns.
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Blalock Dolan F.
Myers Howard M.
Stout Roger W.
Wyatt Joshua D.
Clinger James
Coats & Bennett P.L.L.C.
Marconi Commerce Systems Inc.
Wong Don
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