US3913069A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self service system
Assignee: AUTO TANK AB
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Filing: 1974-10-21
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Granted: 1975-10-14
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Expires: 1994-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A self service system is disclosed which comprises a number of fuel pumps, a less number of storage and display devices at a cashier location, and an interconnecting multiplexing unit. When a pump becomes occupied, automatically it is interconnected to any one of the storage and display devices which are free. After dispensing the interconnection is broken, such that the pump is free but the storage and display device is still occupied. The pump can be used immediately again together with any other free storage and display device. The occupied storage and display device is set free, after the customer has paid or become registered at the cashier location.
Inventors
- 👤 Sten E Rundin
- 👤 Jan H Westlund
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:12
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/06; B67D7/08; B67D7/22; B67D7/224; B67D7/227; B67D7/228
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A self service system comprising: a first number of dispensing units; a second number of storage and display devices at a cashier location; and means for automatically connecting a dispensing unit, when it becomes occupied, to any free one of the storage and display devices, such that data regarding the dispensing operation of said dispensing unit can be transferred to the selected storage and display device, said means being arranged to break said connection between said dispensing units and said storage and display device automatically as soon as the occupation of said dispensing unit is terminated, whereby said dispensing unit is free to be used again immediately together with any other free storage and display device. each storage and display devive being arranged after a connection to remain in an occupied state while retaining dispense data received during said connection at least until an acknowledgement corresponding to said dispense data has taken place.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A self service system comprising: a first number of dispensing units; a second number of storage and display devices at a cashier location; and means for automatically connecting a dispensing unit, when it becomes occupied, to any free one of the storage and display devices, such that data regarding the dispensing operation of said dispensing unit can be transferred to the selected storage and display device, said means being arranged to break said connection between said dispensing units and said storage and display device automatically as soon as the occupation of said dispensing unit is terminated, whereby said dispensing unit is free to be used again immediately together with any other free storage and display device. each storage and display devive being arranged after a connection to remain in an occupied state while retaining dispense data received during said connection at least until an acknowledgement corresponding to said dispense data has taken place.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said means include a multiplexing unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein the number of storage and display devices is less than the number of dispensing units.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein each storage and display device includes means for defining the dispensing unit from which data is received, and means for indicating at least one quantity representative of the dispensing from said dispensing unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 4, wherein each storage and display device includes first storage means for storing received data and for supplying said indicating means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system according to claim 5, wherein each storage and display device further includes second storage means for storing data received from a calculation of said data stored in said first storage means, means being arranged for selectively supplying said indicating means either from said first storage means or said second storage means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 6, wherein said first storage means are arranged to store data of dispensed amount and whereiN said second storage means are arranged to store data of the price of the amount dispensed.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of operating a self service system that includes a number of dispensing units and a cashier location having a number of storage and display devices, the method comprising the following steps: when a dispensing unit is occupied by a customer the dispensing unit is connected to any of the storage and display devices which are free, when, after the dispensing operation, the occupation of said dispensing unit is terminated, the connection between said dispensing unit and the storage and display device involved is broken, while maintaining said storage and display device in an occupied state, dispense data fed into the storage and display device during the dispensing operation also being maintained in the storage and display device, whereby said dispensing unit is free to be used immediately again together with any other free storage and display device; and when an acknowledgement corresponding to the dispense data fed into the storage and display device has taken place, said storage an display device is reset into a free state.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of operating a self service system that includes a number of dispensing units and a cashier location having a number of storage and display devices, the method comprising the following steps: when a dispensing unit is occupied by a customer the dispensing unit is connected to any of the storage and display devices which are free, when, after the dispensing operation, the occupation of said dispensing unit is terminated, the connection between said dispensing unit and the storage and display device involved is broken, while maintaining said storage and display device in an occupied state, dispense data fed into the storage and display device during the dispensing operation also being maintained in the storage and display device, whereby said dispensing unit is free to be used immediately again together with any other free storage and display device; and when an acknowledgement corresponding to the dispense data fed into the storage and display device has taken place, said storage an display device is reset into a free state.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein when a dispensing unit becomes occupied the status of the storage and display devices are sampled sequentially, the dispensing unit being connected to the first free storage and display device found.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein the occupied dispensing unit is activated by a signal transmitted from the storage and display device connected to said dispensing unit as long as said dispensing unit is occupied.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3402851A
Cited
US3786421A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-13 | 1979-04-14 | 1979-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-13 | 1983-04-14 | 1983-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-13 | 1987-04-14 | 1987-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |