Prepaid card processing device for use in a filling station

Claim 2

A prepaid card processing device for use at a filling station which is adapted and arranged to provide a visible indication on the card after use of the remaining value of the card.

Claim 3

A prepaid card processing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the indication is provided by printing a remaining value indication in numbers on the card.

Claim 4

A prepaid card processing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the indication is provided by providing a pre-printed scale of values on the card and providing an indicator at a position on the card indicative of the remaining value on said scale.

Claim 5

A prepaid card processing device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the indicator is a hole punched in the card.

Claim 6

A prepaid card processing device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the indicator is a mark printed on the card.

Claim 7

A prepaid card processing device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein a CPU is provided to extract data that is recorded on the card and to process such data with data from a pump at the filling station in order to derive data for generating said visible indication.

Claim 8

A prepaid card processing device as claimed in claim 6 wherein a display device is provided and the CPU is adapted and arranged to display transaction information on said display device.

Claim 9

A prepaid card processing device as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein a record of sales transactions to date effected with the card is recorded on the card and the card processing device is adapted and arranged to update such record as each new transaction is effected.

Claim 10

A prepaid card processing device as claimed in any of the preceding claims which is adapted and arranged to provide an indication to a user in the event of the residual value of the card reducing below a predetermined level.

Claim 11

A prepaid card processing device for use in a filling station, comprising a central processing unit or CPU, a magnetic head for reading a remaining unit count recorded on a prepaid card to transfer it to said CPU and writing a renewed remaining unit count supplied from said CPU on said card, an internal memory unit 140 connected to said CPU to store data on the unit price of fuel and the remaining unit count read by said magnetic head while said CPU is turned on, an external memory unit connected to said CPU to permanently store said data, an input device connected to said CPU to input data on the amount of fuel sold to said CPU, said CPU being adapted to calculate the sales amount and the current remaining unit count based upon the amount of gasoline sold, the unit price and the remaining unit count read by said magnetic head, a display connected to said CPU to display the sales amount of gasoline and the current remaining unit count in response to the command from said CPU, a printing device for printing the renewed remaining unit count supplied from said CPU on said prepaid card upon completion of fueling, a motor for moving said card, and sensor means for detecting the position of said card, said CPU being adapted to control the movement of said card through said processing device based upon the information from said sensor means.

Claim 12

A prepaid card processing device for use in a filling station, comprising a central processing unit or CPU, a magnetic head for reading a remaining unit count recorded on a prepaid card to transfer it to said CPU and writing a renewed remaining unit count supplied from said CPU on said card, an internal memory unit 140 connected to said CPU to store data on the unit price of fuel and the remaining unit count read by said magnetic head while said CPU is turned on, an external memory unit connected to said CPU to permanently store said data, an input device connected to said CPU to input data on the amount of fuel sold to said CPU, said CPU being adapted to calculate the sales amount and the current remaining unit count based upon the amount of gasoline sold, the unit price and the remaining unit count read by said magnetic head, a display connected to said CPU to display the sales amount of gasoline and the current remaining unit count in response to the command from said CPU, a printing device for printing the renewed remaining unit count supplied from said CPU on said prepaid card upon completion of fueling, a motor for moving said card, and sensor means for detecting the position of said card, said CPU being adapted to control the movement of said card through said processing device based upon the information from said sensor means.