Dresser Industries, Inc.

Other

David A Biedermann

Don Charles McCall

Ken W Taylor

Reynold L Liao

Herbert G Zinsmeyer

Jimmy R Herring

Francis D Orr

James F Hughen

Christopher W Ovens

A multiproduct fuel dispensing system for dispensing different grade fuels stored in several reservoir tanks. Several fuel delivery conduits deliver a specific grade of fuel from one or more of the reservoir tanks. Plural ultrasonic metering orifices are mounted in a single housing with shared electronic circuitry, and use sing-around measurement to measure flow. Each of the meters has a volume of about 50 cubic centimeters and a flow rate of about 10 gallons per minute. The housing is connected to the conduits to permit measurement of fuel flow through each meter.

Multiple orifice ultrasonic meter for measuring flow of specific grades

The present invention is a system for providing a fuel dispenser with a graphics interface. The system easily retrofits onto an existing, conventional fuel dispenser. The system likewise allows a customer to interact with the commercials as well as the instructional interface. The system includes a video display terminal, a touch screen, a multimedia controller, and a pump interface. A conventional fuel dispenser may be readily retrofitted with the system because the multimedia controller and pump interface communicate with a customer activated terminal already on the conventional fuel dispenser. The system also operates in a manner to determine if the customer has used the fuel dispenser before, and if not, displays additional instructions and videos to explain operation of the fuel dispenser. The system also allows the customer to select between different categories of commercials in order to purchase amenities. Furthermore, the system provides a manner in which to reward the customer for such things as frequent purchases and to include all of the purchases on a single receipt.

Interactive graphics display system for a fuel dispenser

A multiproduct fuel dispensing system for dispensing a plurality of fuels stored in a plurality of reservoir tanks. A single fuel delivery conduit delivers a specific grade of fuel from the reservoir tanks. An ultrasonic meter is in the conduit and uses sing-around measurement to measure flow through the meter. The meter has a volume of about 10 cubic centimeters and a flow rate of about 10 gallons per minute. The meter may stand alone in the conduit or may be integrally formed with an outlet casting in the conduit.

Multiproduct fuel dispenser using ultrasonic metering

A secure touchscreen is provided, comprising a touchscreen and touchscreen controller for receiving inputs, a system controller, an encryption module and two external buses. The controller, system controller and encryption module are embedded in a mass of material to prevent unauthorized access of the inputs. Furthermore, the first external bus is used to operate and communicate with an external system in an encrypted mode, while the second external bus is used to operate and communicate with the external system in a normal mode.

Data encrypted touchscreen

Method and apparatus for preventing paper jams in thermal printers are disclosed. A thermal printer of the present invention includes a motor for advancing the free end of a roll of paper between a thermal print head and a roller in a conventional manner. A controller provides control signals to the motor for controlling the amount and direction of movement of the motor. A sensor is positioned just beyond the thermal print head for detecting the presence of paper thereunder and for providing a paper detect signal indicative of same to the controller via an appropriate interface. Upon the elapse of a predetermined time period, the controller reads the paper detect signal generated by the sensor and, if the signal indicates that paper is detected by the sensor, the controller causes the motor to retract the paper. Conversely, if the paper detect signal indicates that paper is not detected under the sensor, the controller causes the motor to advance the paper so that it is detected by the sensor. If a paper jam occurs, a message is sent to an operating system to notify an attendant to take remedial action.

Method and apparatus for preventing paper jams in thermal printers

A cleaning system and method for a card reader device that initiates a prompt when a head of the card reader device needs to be cleaned, and cancels the prompt only when the head has been cleaned. A card reader device is connected to a computer system which determines when the card reader device should be cleaned. When it is time for the card reader device to be cleaned, the computer system initiates a prompt requesting the cleaning task. The card reader device is cleaned with a cleaner card including a cleaning surface and a data strip. The cleaner card is inserted into the card reader device so that first the cleaning surface comes in contact with the head, thereby cleaning the card reader device, and then the data strip of the card comes in contact with the head. The card reader reads data encoded on the data strip and sends it to the computing device. The computing device acknowledges that the head of the card reader device has been cleaned and cancels the prompt accordingly.

Cleaning system for a card reader

A computer security apparatus is disclosed. In a departure from the art, a metal box having a padlocked front closure is used to mount a computer to the underside of a surface, such as a counter or desk top, in such a manner as to prevent unauthorized access to and removal of the computer. In a preferred embodiment, the security device of the present invention comprises a substantially rectangular-shaped metal housing having a top, opposing left and right sides, and a door hingedly connected across the front of the housing. Each of the left and right sides includes a rear flange extending approximately one quarter of the way across the rear of the housing and a bottom flange extending approximately one third of the way across the bottom of the housing for securing the rear and bottom sides of the computer, respectively. Spaced-apart clips are provided along one end of the door for securing the door to the front end of one of the opposing sides. A forwardly projecting flange having an aperture therethrough is positioned between the clips such that when the door is closed and the clips are in place, the aperture in the flange is aligned with a corresponding aperture in the front end of the respective opposing side for enabling a padlock to be passed therethrough, thus locking the door to the housing. A mounting apparatus is provided on the top of the housing for securing the apparatus beneath a work surface.

Computer security apparatus

In fuel dispensing apparatus utilizing seven-segment electromagnetic displays each segment of all the displays is operatively driven and tested seriatum both prior to and during the dispensing cycle by measuring the current flowing therethrough. Where peak current through each segment coil exceeds a predetermined switching value within an allotted time period, an inactivating signal is emitted via a microprocessor to inactivate the drive for the respective segment. Failure to receive one or more of the inactivating drive signals per display represents a display malfunction which via the microprocessor renders the dispensing apparatus inoperable.

Operability verification for segmental electromagnetic display

A combination timer and photoelectrically activated control circuit to selectively repeat a timed electromechanical operation at dawn and/or dusk in response to sunrise and/or sunset conditions. Said photoelectric control timer being provided with a deactivating circuit which turns off the output to the load after a preselected time. The circuit remains off even though the initiating light conditions prevail, or reverse. For example, if set to operate with illumination, the device operates in the morning at about sunrise, and after the preset interval a deactivating circuit switches off the output which remains off the remainder of the day while daylight prevails. When daylight ebbs, the photoelectric initiating circuit resets and the entire circuit is reset to repeat the operation when light returns the following morning. An equivalent photoelectric initiating circuit is provided to trigger the timer when light conditions change from light to darkness, such as at sundown.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

David A Biedermann