Computing device

Claim 2

In a computing device for a fluid-dispensing system having a counter operable for being indexed for counting the monetary amount of fluid dispensed and settable variator means for indexing the counter in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed and multiple place unit volume pRicing established by the setting of the variator means, the improvement wherein the variator means comprises a variator having a rotor adapted to be rotated in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed, a plurality of pickups mounted for cooperation with the rotor, the rotor having a plurality of pulse actuators arranged in a plurality of coaxial circles and to operate the pickups for generating separate pulse trains of noncoincident pulses for indexing the counter, each pickup being mounted to be operated by each of the pulse actuators of each of a plurality of the pulse actuator circles, setting means for each pickup for selectively activating the corresponding pulse actuator circles for operating the pickup for establishing the number of pulses generated thereby for each revolution of the rotor for thereby setting the multiple place unit volume pricing, and connector means for connecting the pickups for indexing the counter in accordance with the number of pulses in each separate pulse train.

Claim 3

A computing device according to claim 1 wherein the pulse actuators are arranged in a plurality of generally concentric circles of different diameters.

Claim 4

A computing device according to claim 2 wherein the pickups extend generally radially of the concentric pulse actuator circles.

Claim 5

A computing device according to claim 1 wherein the counter comprises a plurality of counter sections of ascending order operable for counting the monetary amount of fluid dispensed, wherein the plurality of pickups correspond to different places respectively of the multiple place pricing, and wherein the pickups are connected by parallel entry to separate counter sections in accordance with the relative values of the respective places of the multiple place pricing.

Claim 6

A computing device according to claim 1 wherein the pulse actuators are arranged to provide at least one bank of pulse actuator circles with numbers of pulse actuators respectively in accordance with the geometric progression of 1a, 2a, 4a ....

Claim 7

A computing device according to claim 1 wherein the pickups are photoelectric pickups.

Claim 8

A computing device according to claim 6 wherein the pulse actuators are light transmitters and wherein the setting means for the pickups comprise lamp means adapted for activating the light transmitters for operating the photoelectric pickups.

Claim 9

A computing device according to claim 7 wherein the lamp means comprises a bank of lamps associated with each photoelectric pickup and having a lamp for each light transmitter circle adapted for activation thereof for operating the pickup.

Claim 10

A computing device according to claim 8 wherein the rotor comprises a disc and wherein the light transmitters are light apertures arranged on the disc in a plurality of concentric circles of different diameters.

Claim 11

A computing device according to claim 6 wherein each photoelectric pickup is a single photoelectric element.

Claim 12

A computing device according to claim 7 wherein the setting means for each pickup comprises lamp masking means for selectively unmasking the light transmitter circles for operating the pickup.

Claim 13

A computing device according to claim 8 wherein the setting means for each pickup comprises a switch operable for selectively energizing the lamps associated with the pickup.

Claim 14

A computing device according to claim 1 wherein the variator means comprises a pair of said variators having rotors connected to be rotated in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed, and means for combining the pulse trains generated by each pair of corresponding pickups of the variators for producing a combined pulse train with noncoincident pulses for operating the counter.

Claim 15

In a computing device for a fluid-dispensing system for dispensing different blends of separate fluids and having a counter operable for counting the monetary amount of the fluid dispensed and settable variator means for operating the counter in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed and multiple place unit volume pricing established by the setting of the variator means, the improvement wherein the variator means comprises a pair of rotors adapted to be differently rotated in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed, first pickup means cooperable with one of the rotors for generating separate output pulse trains for different places of the multiple place pricing, second pickup means cooperable with the other rotor for generating at least one output pulse train for one of the places of the multiple place pricing, variator setting means for selectively establishing the number of pulses in each pulse train for each revolution of the rotor; and means for combining each pair of corresponding pulse trains generated by the first and second pickup means for producing a combined pulse train for operating the counter.

Claim 16

In a computing device for a fluid-dispensing system for dispensing different blends of separate fluids and having a counter operable for counting the monetary amount of the fluid dispensed and settable variator means for operating the counter in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed and multiple place unit volume pricing established by the setting of the variator means, the improvement wherein the variator means comprises a pair of rotors adapted to be differently rotated in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed, first pickup means cooperable with one of the rotors for generating separate output pulse trains for different places of the multiple place pricing, second pickup means cooperable with the other rotor for generating at least one output pulse train for one of the places of the multiple place pricing, variator setting means for selectively establishing the number of pulses in each pulse train for each revolution of the rotor; and means for combining each pair of corresponding pulse trains generated by the first and second pickup means for producing a combined pulse train for operating the counter.

Claim 17

A computing device according to claim 14 wherein the second pickup means is cooperable with said other rotor for generating separate output pulse trains for said different places of the multiple place pricing, and wherein the pair of rotors are connected to be rotated in accordance with the volumes dispensed of the separate fluids respectively irrespective of the blend.

Claim 18

A computing device according to claim 14 wherein said one rotor is connected to be rotated in accordance with the volume of the blend dispensed and the other rotor is connected to be rotated in accordance with the volume dispensed of one of the separate fluids irrespective of the blend.

Claim 19

In a computing device for a fluid-dispensing system having a counter operable for being indexed for counting the monetary amount of fluid dispensed and settable variator means for indexing the counter in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed and multiple place unit volume pricing established by the setting of the variator means, the improvement wherein the variator means comprises a rotor adapted to be rotated in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed, at least one photoelectric cell mounted for cooperation with the rotor, the rotor having a plurality of pulse actuators arranged in a plurality of coaxial circles and to operate the photoelectric cell to generate a pulse train of spaced pulses for operating the counter, each photoelectric cell being mounted to be operated by each of the pulse actuators of each of the plurality of pulse actuator circles, and setting means for selectively activating the pulse actuator circles to operate the photoelectric cell for establishing the number of pulses generated thereby for each revolution of the rotor for thereby setting the multiple place unit volume pricing, and connector means for connecting each photoelectric cell for indexing the counter in accordance with the number of pulses in the respective pulse train.

Claim 20

In a computing device for a fluid-dispensing system having a counter operable for being indexed for counting the monetary amount of fluid dispensed and settable variator means for indexing the counter in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed and multiple place unit volume pricing established by the setting of the variator means, the improvement wherein the variator means comprises a rotor adapted to be rotated in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed, at least one photoelectric cell mounted for cooperation with the rotor, the rotor having a plurality of pulse actuators arranged in a plurality of coaxial circles and to operate the photoelectric cell to generate a pulse train of spaced pulses for operating the counter, each photoelectric cell being mounted to be operated by each of the pulse actuators of each of the plurality of pulse actuator circles, and setting means for selectively activating the pulse actuator circles to operate the photoelectric cell for establishing the number of pulses generated thereby for each revolution of the rotor for thereby setting the multiple place unit volume pricing, and connector means for connecting each photoelectric cell for indexing the counter in accordance with the number of pulses in the respective pulse train.

Claim 21

A computing device according to claim 17 wherein the variator comprises a plurality of photoelectric cells for different places respectively of the multiple place pricing and setting means for each photoelectric cell.

Claim 22

In a computing device for a fluid-dispensing system having a counter with a plurality of counter sections of ascending order operable for counting the monetary amount of fluid dispensed and settable variator means for operating the counter in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed and multiple place unit volume pricing established by the setting of the variator means, the improvement wherein the variator means comprises a rotor adapted to be rotated in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed, base pickup means cooperable with the rotor for generating separate base pulse trains for different places respectively of the multiple place pricing, variator setting means for selectively establishing the number of pulses in each base pulse train for each revolution of the rotor, for establishing a multiple place unit volume base price, adder pickup means cooperable with the rotor for generating an adder pulse train for at least one place of the multiple placE pricing, adder setting means for selectively establishing the number of pulses in the adder pulse train for each revolution of the rotor for providing an adder to the base price, and means for connecting the base pickup means and adder pickup means for operating the counter with the base and adder pulse trains in accordance with the relative values of the respective places of the multiple place pricing.

Claim 23

In a computing device for a fluid-dispensing system having a counter with a plurality of counter sections of ascending order operable for counting the monetary amount of fluid dispensed and settable variator means for operating the counter in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed and multiple place unit volume pricing established by the setting of the variator means, the improvement wherein the variator means comprises a rotor adapted to be rotated in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed, base pickup means cooperable with the rotor for generating separate base pulse trains for different places respectively of the multiple place pricing, variator setting means for selectively establishing the number of pulses in each base pulse train for each revolution of the rotor, for establishing a multiple place unit volume base price, adder pickup means cooperable with the rotor for generating an adder pulse train for at least one place of the multiple placE pricing, adder setting means for selectively establishing the number of pulses in the adder pulse train for each revolution of the rotor for providing an adder to the base price, and means for connecting the base pickup means and adder pickup means for operating the counter with the base and adder pulse trains in accordance with the relative values of the respective places of the multiple place pricing.

Claim 24

In a computing device for computing the product of an amount proportional to a rotational input and a multiplier comprising a unitary rotor, a rotary input for rotating the rotor, the rotor having a plurality of light apertures arranged in a plurality of at least four spaced circles coaxial with the rotor to provide a plurality of separate light aperture sets, a photoelectric pickup with a single photoelectric cell mounted for cooperation with the plurality of light aperture sets to be operated by each light aperture of each light aperture set to generate a corresponding train of spaced electrical pulses, and setting means operable for selectively activating and deactivating the light aperture sets to operate the photoelectric cell for establishing the number of pulses generated thereby for each revolution of the rotor, and counting means connected to be indexed in accordance with the number of pulses in the electrical pulse train generated by the photoelectric pickup for counting the product of an amount proportional to the rotation of the rotary input and a multiplier established by the operation of the setting means.

Claim 25

In a computing device for computing the product of an amount proportional to a rotational input and a multiplier comprising a unitary rotor, a rotary input for rotating the rotor, the rotor having a plurality of light apertures arranged in a plurality of at least four spaced circles coaxial with the rotor to provide a plurality of separate light aperture sets, a photoelectric pickup with a single photoelectric cell mounted for cooperation with the plurality of light aperture sets to be operated by each light aperture of each light aperture set to generate a corresponding train of spaced electrical pulses, and setting means operable for selectively activating and deactivating the light aperture sets to operate the photoelectric cell for establishing the number of pulses generated thereby for each revolution of the rotor, and counting means connected to be indexed in accordance with the number of pulses in the electrical pulse train generated by the photoelectric pickup for counting the product of an amount proportional to the rotation of the rotary input and a multiplier established by the operation of the setting means.

Claim 26

A computing device according to claim 20 wherein the rotor is a rotary disc and said plurality of light apertures are arranged in a plurality of radially spaced circles.

Claim 27

A computing device according to claim 21 wherein the setting means comprises control light apertures for activating selected aperture sets and masking means for masking the remaining light aperture sets.

Claim 28

A computing device according to claim 21 wherein there are four light aperture sets with one, two, four and eight light apertures respectively.

Claim 29

A computing device according to claim 21 wherein the setting means comprises a bank of selectively operable lamps for the plurality of light aperture sets respectively.

Claim 30

A computing device according to claim 24 wherein the setting means comprises binary switch means for selectively energizing the lamps.

Claim 31

In a computing device for a fluid-dispensing system having a counter operable for counting the monetary amount of fluid dispensed and settable variator means for operating the counter in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed and multiple place unit volume pricing established by the setting of the variator means, the improvement wherein the variator means comprises a variator having a rotor adapted to be rotated in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed, a plurality of photoelectric pickups mounted for cooperation with the rotor, the rotor having a plurality of light transmitters arranged in a plurality of coaxial circles and to operate the photoelectric pickups for generating separate pulse trains of noncoincident pulses for operating the counter, and setting means for each pickup for selectively activating light transmitter circles for operating the pickup for establishing the number of pulses generated thereby for each revolution of the rotor, the setting means comprising a bank of lamps associated with each photoelectric pickup and having a lamp for each light transmitter circle adapted for activation thereof for operating the pickup, and a switch operable for selectively energizing the lamps associated with the pickup having an angularly settable number wheel and a binary switch settable with the wheel to provide a binary signal corresponding to the angular position of the wheel for selectively energizing the lamps.

Claim 32

In a computing device for a fluid-dispensing system having a counter operable for counting the monetary amount of fluid dispensed and settable variator means for operating the counter in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed and multiple place unit volume pricing established by the setting of the variator means, the improvement wherein the variator means comprises a variator having a rotor adapted to be rotated in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed, a plurality of photoelectric pickups mounted for cooperation with the rotor, the rotor having a plurality of light transmitters arranged in a plurality of coaxial circles and to operate the photoelectric pickups for generating separate pulse trains of noncoincident pulses for operating the counter, and setting means for each pickup for selectively activating light transmitter circles for operating the pickup for establishing the number of pulses generated thereby for each revolution of the rotor, the setting means comprising a bank of lamps associated with each photoelectric pickup and having a lamp for each light transmitter circle adapted for activation thereof for operating the pickup, and a switch operable for selectively energizing the lamps associated with the pickup having an angularly settable number wheel and a binary switch settable with the wheel to provide a binary signal corresponding to the angular position of the wheel for selectively energizing the lamps.

Claim 33

In a computing device for a fluid-dispensing system having a counter operable for counting the monetary amount of fluid dispensed and settable variator means For operating the counter in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed and multiple place unit volume pricing established by the setting of the variator means, the improvement wherein the variator means comprises a variator having a rotor adapted to be rotated in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed, a plurality of photoelectric pickups mounted for cooperation with the rotor, the rotor having a plurality of light transmitters arranged in a plurality of coaxial circles and to operate the photoelectric pickups for generating separate pulse trains of noncoincident pulses for operating the counter, and setting means for each pickup for selectively activating light transmitter circles operating the pickup for establishing the number of pulses generated thereby for each revolution of the rotor, the setting means comprising a bank of lamps associated with each photoelectric pickup and having a lamp for each light transmitter circle adapted for activation thereof for operating the pickup, and a plurality of switch banks each comprising a switch for each bank of lamps operable for selectively energizing the lamps thereof, and a selector for individually selecting the switch banks for operating the banks of lamps.

Claim 34

In a computing device for a fluid-dispensing system having a counter operable for counting the monetary amount of fluid dispensed and settable variator means For operating the counter in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed and multiple place unit volume pricing established by the setting of the variator means, the improvement wherein the variator means comprises a variator having a rotor adapted to be rotated in accordance with the volume of fluid dispensed, a plurality of photoelectric pickups mounted for cooperation with the rotor, the rotor having a plurality of light transmitters arranged in a plurality of coaxial circles and to operate the photoelectric pickups for generating separate pulse trains of noncoincident pulses for operating the counter, and setting means for each pickup for selectively activating light transmitter circles operating the pickup for establishing the number of pulses generated thereby for each revolution of the rotor, the setting means comprising a bank of lamps associated with each photoelectric pickup and having a lamp for each light transmitter circle adapted for activation thereof for operating the pickup, and a plurality of switch banks each comprising a switch for each bank of lamps operable for selectively energizing the lamps thereof, and a selector for individually selecting the switch banks for operating the banks of lamps.

Claim 35

In a computing device for a fluid-dispensing system having a counter operable for counting the monetary amount of fluid dispensed and settable variator means for operating the counter in accordance with the volumetric amount of fluid dispensed and unit volume pricing established by the setting of the variator means, the improvement wherein the variator means comprises a rotor adapted to be rotated in accordance with the volumetric amount of fluid dispensed, pickup means cooperable with the rotor for generating separate output pulse trains for different places respectively of the multiple place pricing, setting means for selectively setting the number of pulses in each output pulse train for each evolution of the rotor for establishing a multiple place price, means for connecting the pickup means to the counter for operating the counter with the pulse trains in accordance with the relative values of the respective places of the multiple place pricing, and price posting means connected for operation by the separate pulse trains in accordance with the relative values of the respective places of the multiple place pricing for posting the multiple place price established by the setting means, the price posting means comprising an auxiliary pickup mounted for cooperation with the rotor for generating at least one pulse for each revolution of the rotor, and a price posting counter operative by the separate pulse trains in accordance with the relative values of the respective places of the multiple place pricing for establishing a count according to the established multiple place price.

Claim 36

In a computing device for a fluid-dispensing system having a counter operable for counting the monetary amount of fluid dispensed and settable variator means for operating the counter in accordance with the volumetric amount of fluid dispensed and unit volume pricing established by the setting of the variator means, the improvement wherein the variator means comprises a rotor adapted to be rotated in accordance with the volumetric amount of fluid dispensed, pickup means cooperable with the rotor for generating separate output pulse trains for different places respectively of the multiple place pricing, setting means for selectively setting the number of pulses in each output pulse train for each evolution of the rotor for establishing a multiple place price, means for connecting the pickup means to the counter for operating the counter with the pulse trains in accordance with the relative values of the respective places of the multiple place pricing, and price posting means connected for operation by the separate pulse trains in accordance with the relative values of the respective places of the multiple place pricing for posting the multiple place price established by the setting means, the price posting means comprising an auxiliary pickup mounted for cooperation with the rotor for generating at least one pulse for each revolution of the rotor, and a price posting counter operative by the separate pulse trains in accordance with the relative values of the respective places of the multiple place pricing for establishing a count according to the established multiple place price.

Claim 37

A counting device according to claim 28 wherein the price posting means comprises indicator means for indicating the established multiple place price and means for transferring the count of the price posting counter to the indicator means for indicating the established multiple place price.