Fuel dispenser-cash register control console

Claim 1

A fuel dispenser-cash register control system for controlling the dispensing process in at least one fuel dispenser, for controlling at least one department input key switch on a cash register keyboard for transferring information on each dispensing transaction to a cash register at the end of the sale, and for storing in memory totals on the amount of fuel dispensed from said dispenser, comprising: (a) a control console means having a first programmable data processor coupled with a first read-only-memory device and a first read-and-write-memory device, and a series of console input key switches, for (1) controlling said dispenser from said console input key switches causing said first data processor to retrieve dispenser control commands from said first read-only-memory device in a predetermined sequence and output said commands to said fuel dispenser causing said dispenser to dispense fuel; (2) receiving dispenser responses from said dispenser during the fueling process and storing said responses in said first read-and-write-memory device; (3) transferring to said cash register sales information on each dispensing transaction at the completion of the transaction; (b) a cash register interface means, with serial connection to said first microprocessor in said control console means, having a second microprocessor coupled with a second read-only-memory device and a second read-and-write memory device, for (1) receiving from said first microprocessor said sales information on each dispensing transaction at completion of the transaction; and (2) controlling said department input key switch on said cash register keyboard such as to post the fueling transaction as a sale in said cash register; (c) a configuration means with serial connection to said control console means and said fuel dispenser; for (1) configuring said dispenser control commands into a communication protocol readable by said fuel dispenser, and (2) configuring said dispenser responses into a communication protocol readable by said control console means.

Claim 6

A method for controlling the dispensing process in a fuel dispenser delivering fuel to a vehicle by a fuel dispenser-cash register control console means which down-loads sales information on the fuel dispensed from said dispenser to a cash register at completion of the fueling transaction through a register interface means, comprising the steps of: (a) setting the price per unit of the fuel to be dispensed by a price command from said console means to said dispenser; (b) authorizing said dispenser with an authorization command from said console means allowing said dispenser to dispense fuel; (c) polling the status of said fuel dispenser by a status request command from said console means to determine if dispenser is idle, if the nozzle handle has been lifted and service is being requested at dispenser, or if dispenser is dispensing fuel; (d) reading sales information at said dispenser by a sales information command from said console means where in turn said dispenser responds with the dollar and volume amount of fuel dispensed; (e) down-loading from said console means said sales information to said cash register through said register interface means to said cash register including dollar amount of fuel dispensed; and (f) posting in a designated department said sales information by said cash register as a sale.

Claim 7

A method for controlling the dispensing process in a fuel dispenser delivering fuel to a vehicle by a fuel dispenser-cash register control console means which down-loads sales information on the fuel dispensed from said dispenser to a cash register at completion of the fueling transaction through a register interface means, comprising the steps of: (a) setting the price per unit of the fuel to be dispensed by a price command from said console means to said dispenser; (b) authorizing said dispenser with an authorization command from said console means allowing said dispenser to dispense fuel; (c) polling the status of said fuel dispenser by a status request command from said console means to determine if dispenser is idle, if the nozzle handle has been lifted and service is being requested at dispenser, or if dispenser is dispensing fuel; (d) reading sales information at said dispenser by a sales information command from said console means where in turn said dispenser responds with the dollar and volume amount of fuel dispensed; (e) down-loading from said console means said sales information to said cash register through said register interface means to said cash register including dollar amount of fuel dispensed; and (f) posting in a designated department said sales information by said cash register as a sale.