초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a fuel pump-card reader control center for controlling the fuel dispensing process and accepting payment for the fuel dispensed through a card reader. The control center has a microprocessor with read-only-memory (ROM) and read-and-write-memory (RAM). Operating routi

The present invention relates to a fuel pump-card reader control center for controlling the fuel dispensing process and accepting payment for the fuel dispensed through a card reader. The control center has a microprocessor with read-only-memory (ROM) and read-and-write-memory (RAM). Operating routines are stored in ROM and operating code for controlling the dispensing process and accepting payment for the fuel dispensed is stored in RAM. The control commands for pump control and card reader control are down-loadable from magnetic medium or remotely though a modem interface. Configuration circuits translate the communication language of the fuel pump control commands and the card reader control commands into a communication format which is readable by the dispensers such that the control center can control dispensing process of different dispenser brands and accept payment for the fuel dispensed. Response data from the dispensers is stored in the RAM, and is transmitted to a computer through a driver, where the computer is performing cash register function. The fuel pump-card reader control center is particularly well suited for use with a c-store point-of-sales application programs for controlling the dispensers. An external version of the controller has serial connection to the computer and an internal version resides in an expansion slot and has a bus interface connection to the computer.

대표청구항 ▼

A fuel delivery system, comprising: (a) a plurality of fuel dispensers having a fuel pump means for delivering a variable volumetric flow of fuel into a vehicle tank and a card reader means for accepting payment for the fuel dispensed; (b) a computer means, functionally connected to said fuel dispen

A fuel delivery system, comprising: (a) a plurality of fuel dispensers having a fuel pump means for delivering a variable volumetric flow of fuel into a vehicle tank and a card reader means for accepting payment for the fuel dispensed; (b) a computer means, functionally connected to said fuel dispensers, for initiating commands to said fuel dispensers and for receiving response data from said fuel dispensers; (c) a fuel pump-card reader control means having a programmable data processor with a read-only-memory means for storing routines for said data processor and a read-and-write-memory means for storing operating code and response data, operatively connected between said fuel dispensers and said computer means, for; (1) reading an input selection key in said card reader means in said fuel dispensers for determining when a customer wants service and how said customer wants to pay for fuel dispensed; (2) retrieving commands from said read-and-write-memory means in a predetermined sequence and outputting said commands in a readable format to said pump means and said card reader means in said dispensers causing fuel to be dispensed; (3) receiving responses from said fuel pump means and said card reader means in said fuel dispensers during the fueling process and storing said responses in said read-and-write-memory means; (4) retrieving said response data from said read-and write memory means and down-loading to said computer means on request; (d) a first configuration means electrically connected between said fuel pump-card reader control means and said pump means in said fuel dispensers for configuring said commands into a communication protocol readable by said pump means and said responses into a communication protocol readable by said control means; (e) a second configuration means connected between said fuel pump-card reader control means and said card reader means in said dispensers for configuring said commands into a communication protocol readable by said card reader means and said responses into a communication protocol readable by said control means; and (f) a down-load communication means for down-loading fuel pump and card reader control software to said read-and-write-memory means in said fuel pump-card reader control means.