US5797470A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for transacting fuel purchases using an island transaction terminal
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1995-12-01
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Granted: 1998-08-25
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Expires: 2015-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A system for transacting fuel purchases. A plurality of fuel dispensing pumps are interconnected to an island transaction terminal through a central master terminal. Each fuel dispensing pump comprises an independent fuel dispensing nozzle. Storage is provided for storing fuel dispensing pump reservations. A processor determines whether one of the plurality of fuel dispensing pumps is already reserved. A money acceptor and a money equivalent acceptor receive payment of money and a money equivalent, respectively. The central master terminal verifies the payment. An enabler enables the requested fuel dispensing pump to dispense fuel using a remote signal to the requested fuel dispensing pump upon verification of the payment by the central master terminal.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael H. Bohnert
- 👤 Ronald R. Lien
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:45
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F5/00; G07F5/18; G07F13/00; G07F13/02; G07F13/025; G07F19/00; G07F19/20; G07F19/201; G07F19/205; G07F9/00; G07F9/002; G07F9/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
405 words
A system for transacting fuel purchases comprising: a first plurality of fuel dispensing pumps disposed at a first island location, each dispensing pump at the first island location comprising independent means for dispensing fuel and means for enabling each pump to dispense fuel in response to a dispensing signal; a second plurality of fuel dispensing pumps disposed at a second island location, each dispensing pump at the second island location comprising independent means for dispensing fuel and means for enabling each pump to dispense fuel in response to a dispensing signal; a first island transaction terminal disposed at the first island location, the first island transaction terminal comprising means for receiving a request for purchasing fuel at a specified dispensing pump located at either of the island locations, means for receiving payment for such fuel purchase in the form of money or money equivalent, and means for emitting a first payment signal containing information regarding the amount of payment received, the form of payment and the specified dispensing pump for which such fuel purchase is requested; a second island transaction terminal disposed at the second island location, the second island transaction terminal comprising means for receiving a request for purchasing fuel at a specified dispensing pump located at either of the island locations, means for receiving payment for such fuel purchase in the form of money or money equivalent, and means for emitting a second payment signal containing information regarding the amount of payment received, the form of payment and the specified dispensing pump for which such fuel pump is requested; a payment station disposed away from the first and second island locations, the payment station comprising means for receiving a request for purchasing fuel at a specified dispensing pump, means for receiving payment for such fuel purchase and means for emitting a third payment signal containing information regarding the amount of payment received, the form of payment and the specified dispensing pump for which such fuel purchase is requested; a master terminal comprising means for receiving the first, second, and third payment signals, means for storing the information contained in such signals, means for communicating with a financial verification center to verify the payment of money equivalent payments, means for choosing between contemporaneous requests for fuel purchases from the same dispensing pump and means for emitting a dispensing signal to the requested dispensing pump to enable the dispensing of fuel from that dispensing pump.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
405 words
A system for transacting fuel purchases comprising: a first plurality of fuel dispensing pumps disposed at a first island location, each dispensing pump at the first island location comprising independent means for dispensing fuel and means for enabling each pump to dispense fuel in response to a dispensing signal; a second plurality of fuel dispensing pumps disposed at a second island location, each dispensing pump at the second island location comprising independent means for dispensing fuel and means for enabling each pump to dispense fuel in response to a dispensing signal; a first island transaction terminal disposed at the first island location, the first island transaction terminal comprising means for receiving a request for purchasing fuel at a specified dispensing pump located at either of the island locations, means for receiving payment for such fuel purchase in the form of money or money equivalent, and means for emitting a first payment signal containing information regarding the amount of payment received, the form of payment and the specified dispensing pump for which such fuel purchase is requested; a second island transaction terminal disposed at the second island location, the second island transaction terminal comprising means for receiving a request for purchasing fuel at a specified dispensing pump located at either of the island locations, means for receiving payment for such fuel purchase in the form of money or money equivalent, and means for emitting a second payment signal containing information regarding the amount of payment received, the form of payment and the specified dispensing pump for which such fuel pump is requested; a payment station disposed away from the first and second island locations, the payment station comprising means for receiving a request for purchasing fuel at a specified dispensing pump, means for receiving payment for such fuel purchase and means for emitting a third payment signal containing information regarding the amount of payment received, the form of payment and the specified dispensing pump for which such fuel purchase is requested; a master terminal comprising means for receiving the first, second, and third payment signals, means for storing the information contained in such signals, means for communicating with a financial verification center to verify the payment of money equivalent payments, means for choosing between contemporaneous requests for fuel purchases from the same dispensing pump and means for emitting a dispensing signal to the requested dispensing pump to enable the dispensing of fuel from that dispensing pump.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 wherein both the first and second island transaction terminals and the payment station have means for dispensing a receipt confirming payment received.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the means for receiving a request for purchasing fuel comprises a key pad.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the means for receiving a request for purchasing fuel comprises a card reader.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the master terminal further comprises means for transmitting money equivalent payment information to an off-site terminal and means for receiving back from the off-site terminal a signal indicating approval of the requested fuel purchase.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the first and second island transaction terminals further comprise a display for displaying the response from the off-site terminal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the master terminal further comprises means for resolving conflicts between fuel purchase requests.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-24 | 2002-02-23 | 2002-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-24 | 2006-02-23 | 2006-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-24 | 2010-02-23 | 2010-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |