Gilbarco Inc.

Mineral Lassen LLC

Marconi Commerce Systems Inc.

Other

Steven N Terranova

Ian J Forster

John S McSpadden

Seifollah S Nanaji

David L Kaehler

Brian L Quarendon

A retail transactions station capable of identifying a customer, retrieving transaction account information associated with the customer, and charging the customer's purchases to the transaction account is operative to receive new transaction account information from the customer at the retail transactions station, verify the transaction account, and associate the new transaction account with the customer for pending and future purchases. In one embodiment, with the retail transactions station identifies the customer via an RFID interrogator at the retail transactions station and a corresponding RFID transponder in the customer's possession. New transaction account information is obtained via a magnetic stripe card reader at the retail transactions station. In another embodiment, the retail transactions station comprises a fuel dispenser. In another embodiment, a system comprises a retail transactions station operative to identify a customer and receive transaction account information, a database containing customer identifiers and associated valid transaction accounts, and a controller operative to control the database and to perform financial transaction processing across a network.

Remote payment account relational system and method for retail devices

A wireless communication device coupled to a wave antenna that provides greater increased durability and impedance matching. The wave antenna may be in the form of a polygonal, elliptical curve and/or coil shape. The wireless communication device is coupled to the wave antenna to provide wireless communication. The wireless communication device and wave antenna may be placed on objects, goods, or other articles of manufacture that are subject to forces such that the wave antenna may be stretched or compressed during the manufacture and/or use of such object, good or article of manufacture. The wave antenna, because of its curved structure, is capable of stretching and compressing more easily than other structures, reducing the wireless communication device's susceptibility to damage or breakage that might render the wireless communication device coupled to the wave antenna unable to properly communicate information wirelessly.

Wave antenna wireless communication device and method

A multistage information purchasing system comprises a vehicle onboard computer configured to arrange for the purchase of information through a wireless communications network. The vendor from whom the information has been purchased indicates a proximate docking station from which the purchased information is available and the vehicle is directed to that docking station. At the docking station, the consumer downloads the purchased information to the onboard computer for later manipulation or use. Alternatively, the consumer may abort the transaction if it is inconvenient to travel to the docking station.

Multistage data purchase with mobile information ordering and docking station receipt

The present invention provides a fuel dispensing system for setting transaction parameters in association with a remote communications unit. This system will include wireless or radio communications electronics adapted to receive signals from remote communications units, a transaction interface for carrying out transactions, and a control system and associated memory operating in conjunction with the communications electronics and a transaction interface. The control system is adapted to receive indicia from a remote communications unit and control the transaction at the transaction interface involving the remote communications unit according to predefined parameters associated with the remote communications unit. Any identification indicia and predefined parameters may be stored in the memory in association with the remote communications unit and the control system may be adapted to access these predefined parameters in the memory upon receipt of the identification indicia and control the transaction accordingly. Alternatively, the predefined parameters may be transmitted directly from the remote communications unit to the communications electronics and control system. The predefined parameters may limit a transaction to a select type or grade of fuel, a select type or amount of a product or service, as well as limiting or preventing the purchase of certain products or services. Notably, the control system may include a dispenser control system, a central site control system, a control system associated with a remote network, or a combination thereof.

Fuel dispensing and retail system for providing customer selected guidelines and limitations

The present invention provides a system and method allowing customers to conduct a remote banking transaction at a fuel dispenser, including obtaining cash in association with the transaction at the dispenser or a common terminal in the dispenser forecourt. The system may include a cash dispenser at the dispenser, fueling position, or the central terminal, or, alternatively, a delivery system configured to deliver cash from a central location to the customer at the dispenser, fueling position, or central terminal. During a transaction for purchasing fuel or other products associated with the service station, a customer is provided an opportunity to conduct a remote banking transaction. Providing a customer the opportunity to conduct such a transaction in association with a dispenser transaction will attract more customers to the station because of convenience as well as provide customers with more disposable cash to spend at the associated quick-serve restaurants and convenience store.

Remote banking during fueling

The present invention provides a system and method allowing customers to conduct a transaction at a fuel dispenser and obtain cash back in association with the transaction at the dispenser or a common terminal in the dispenser forecourt. The system may include a cash dispenser at the fuel dispenser, fueling position, or the central terminal, or, alternatively, a delivery system configured to deliver cash from a central location to the customer at the dispenser, fueling position, or central terminal. During a transaction for purchasing fuel or other products associated with the service station, a customer is provided an opportunity to select an amount of cash to be dispensed or delivered in association with that transaction. Providing a customer the opportunity to receive cash back in association with a dispenser transaction will attract more customers to the station because of convenience as well as provide customers with more disposable cash to spend at the associated quick-serve restaurants and convenience store.

Cash back during dispenser transaction

A retail establishment providing user access to the Internet or other information providing sources includes software which allows uses to indicate preferences of which content providing sources should be accessed, in which order and for how long. In this manner, the user is allowed to preselect content to which he or she will be exposed. The selection may occur at an initial registration time or during the retail transaction. The software is especially adapted for use in a fueling environment. The software includes additional features such as printing and allowing a user to access the content from inside a car.

Content preference system at retail outlet

The present invention provides a system and method allowing customers to conduct a remote banking transaction at a fuel dispenser, including obtaining cash in association with the transaction at the dispenser or a common terminal in the dispenser forecourt. The system may include a cash dispenser at the dispenser, fueling position, or the central terminal, or, alternatively, a delivery system configured to deliver cash from a central location to the customer at the dispenser, fueling position, or central terminal. During a transaction for purchasing fuel or other products associated with the service station, a customer is provided an opportunity to conduct a remote banking transaction. Providing a customer the opportunity to conduct such a transaction in association with a dispenser transaction will attract more customers to the station because of convenience as well as provide customers with more disposable cash to spend at the associated quickserve restaurants and convenience store.

The invention provides a transponder acting as a memory buffer facilitating information or message transfer between a remote communication system, such as a fuel dispenser, and the vehicle control system. Information written to the transponder memory from the fuel dispenser may be sent to or retrieved by the vehicle control system. Information sent to the transponder from the vehicle control system is made accessible by or transmitted to the fuel dispenser. The transponder includes sufficient communication electronics, memory access and communication control circuitry, and memory to allow storing of information and access to information by both the vehicle control system and the fuel dispenser.

Apparatus and method for using a transponder as an information buffer

The present invention is to provide a system for automatically providing customer preferences during a fueling operation. The system includes a fuel dispenser with an audio/video customer interface having a display and audio system. Wireless communications electronics are associated with the dispenser and adapted to receive signals including indicia from remote communications units. A control system and memory are provided to receive the indicia from a remote communications unit and provide a customer with select information, predefined by the customer, at the customer interface. The selected information is chosen by the customer and associated with the remote communications unit prior to the transaction. Notably, the control system may include a dispenser controller, a central site controller, a control system associated with a remote network, or any combination thereof.

Fuel dispensing system providing customer preferences

The present invention provides a fuel dispensing system comprising a fuel dispenser associated with a control system adapted to detect a drive-off when fuel is delivered and not paid for, and generate a drive-off signal when a drive-off condition is detected. A receiver is associated with the control system and adapted to receive signals including identification indicia from a remote communications unit associated with the customer. A transmitter associated with the control system is adapted to transmit the drive-off signal to the remote communications unit. The drive-off signal is adapted to cause the remote communications unit to take measures to prevent future transactions involving that customer, and, in particular, the remote communications unit.

Fuel dispensing system preventing customer drive-off

The present invention relates to a fuel dispensing apparatus and method for blending at least one blended fuel using a single meter both the blended fuel and the blend components. The invention includes an apparatus for dispensing a blended fuel that includes first and second valves in fluid communication with a low octane blend component and a high octane blend component respectively. A meter is in fluid communication with the first and second valves for generating a signal indicative of the volume of the blended fuel dispensed from the apparatus. The invention further includes a real time octane sensor in fluid communication with the blended fuel for generating an output signal indicative of the octane level of the blended fuel. A blend controller receives the octane sensor output signal and generates output control signals to the first and second control valves to maintain the blended product octane level at a predetermined level or within a predetermined range.

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Cary, NC, United States of America

Steven N Terranova