초록 ▼

A system and method to adapt a fuel dispenser and related facilities to accept bar coded cards in addition to or instead of magnetic strip cards. A standard bar code reader is used in conjunction with a magnetic strip card reader. The bar code reader includes a light detector and a light source. The

A system and method to adapt a fuel dispenser and related facilities to accept bar coded cards in addition to or instead of magnetic strip cards. A standard bar code reader is used in conjunction with a magnetic strip card reader. The bar code reader includes a light detector and a light source. The light detector and light source are secured so that they may visually access a card in the magnetic strip card reader. This allows the light detector to access bar coded data that is printed on a bar coded card. Furthermore, the addition of the bar code reader does not prevent the magnetic strip card reader from also reading a magnetic strip if it is present on the card. When a bar coded card is slid into the magnetic strip card reader, the bar code reader interprets the signals generated thereby and "decodes" the signals into corresponding numbers. These numbers are then sent over a data bus to a controller, where they are interpreted. Once interpreted, the numbers can be used similarly to numbers conventionally produced by a magnetic strip card, or can be used separately to provide additional services and/or advantages, such as updating a frequent purchase account.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A fuel dispenser comprising:a nozzle for dispensing fuel;a controller for selectively allowing the nozzle to dispense the fuel;an optical reader connected to the controller for reading optical data provided by a user and transferring the optical data to the controller; an

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A fuel dispenser comprising:a nozzle for dispensing fuel;a controller for selectively allowing the nozzle to dispense the fuel;an optical reader connected to the controller for reading optical data provided by a user and transferring the optical data to the controller; anda magnetic strip card reader connected to the controller for reading magnetic strip data provided by the user and transferring the magnetic strip data to the controller;wherein, upon receipt of the optical data, the controller accesses a record associated with the optical data and allows the nozzle to dispense the fuel as part of a transaction, the terms of which are determined based upon the optical data received from the optical reader;and wherein the optical data received from the optical reader identifies a purchase credit to be applied to the transaction.