Lockheed Electronics Co., Inc.

John Dow, Jr

Richard J Yessian

William A Oetting

Thomas J Brady

Automated fluid dispensing apparatus operative under stored program control includes an attended console for controlling an array of dispensing pumps or the like, e.g., a pump island in a self service filling station. An array of data input fields, display and status signalling fields and control keys are disposed on the console. Input signalling from the console may illustratively comprise data from price-per-gallon and transaction limit registers, pump enabling keys, and display controls. Console presentations are for such as pump identity and status, and dispensed fuel value or volume. A microprocessor is connected to the console equipment, and to individual pump controllers, sensors and the like. Fluid flow at each pump is thus readily monitored and controlled by an attendant at the console via the microprocessor.

Microprocessor controlled fluid dispensing system

Microprocessor controlled flow metering apparatus employs mechanically coupled registers driven by a positive displacement or other flow meter to display fluid volume dispensed during a monitored transaction--and as a cumulative total over time. User adjustable electrical switch decades electrically enter computational scale factor variables such as price per gallon and tax rate. The stored program controlled microprocessor computes all desired output variables (fuel cost, tax)--and outputs the variables in predesignated fields onto a printed ticket (invoice) while controlling printer carriage movement and solenoid actuation. In accordance with varying aspects of the invention, mechanical and software security is provided to ensure proper correlation between customer fluid (e.g., fuel) receipt and billing.

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Rumson, NJ, United States of America

John Dow, Jr