US5859416A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel pump system with automated transaction processing
Assignee: Callahan Cellular LLC
•
Filing: 1996-05-01
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Granted: 1999-01-12
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Expires: 2016-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A fuel pump system with automated transaction processing enables a purchaser to define a plurality of fuel pump transactions by selecting various transaction parameters that define the transaction and store the predefined transactions on a storage medium (e.g. on an identification card bearing a magnetic strip). Then, at a fuel pump, the purchaser can pass the identification card through a magnetic card reader that reads the stored transaction information and a controller can cause the stored transaction(s) to be displayed so that a purchaser can select a transaction for execution. The purchaser may enter a single input to select a transaction, thereby simplifying and further expediting the transaction and automated processing thereof. The transaction parameters may include one or more of the form of payment (debit card, credit card, etc.), where the transaction is to be executed (e.g. at the pump or "inside"), the type and grade of fuel to be purchased (e.g. regular unleaded, premium unleaded, diesel etc.), the amount of fuel to be purchased (e.g. dollar amount, number of gallons, or fill-up) and whether or not a receipt should be printed upon completion of the transaction.
Inventors
- 👤 James G. Gatto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:03
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/342; G07; G07F; G07F13/00; G07F13/02; G07F13/025; G07F7/00; G07F7/02; G07F7/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A fuel pump system with automated transaction processing comprising: purchase unique storage medium for storing at least one purchaser-defined transaction; at least one fuel pump; and at least one transaction processor operatively connected to the fuel pump for automated processing of transactions involving the purchase of fuel from the fuel pump, the at least one transaction processor including: reader means for reading information stored on the storage medium, including the purchaser-defined transaction information; display means for displaying a transaction menu comprising at least one choice corresponding to one of the purchaser-defined transactions; input means for enabling a purchaser to select a transaction from the transaction menu; and control means for processing the selected transaction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A fuel pump system with automated transaction processing comprising: purchase unique storage medium for storing at least one purchaser-defined transaction; at least one fuel pump; and at least one transaction processor operatively connected to the fuel pump for automated processing of transactions involving the purchase of fuel from the fuel pump, the at least one transaction processor including: reader means for reading information stored on the storage medium, including the purchaser-defined transaction information; display means for displaying a transaction menu comprising at least one choice corresponding to one of the purchaser-defined transactions; input means for enabling a purchaser to select a transaction from the transaction menu; and control means for processing the selected transaction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 where the input means comprises at least one of: a key of a keypad; a portion of the display means; and a pointing device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising identification means for identifying a purchaser prior to execution of a transaction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 3 where the display means displays a transaction menu customized for the identified purchaser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 4 where the transaction menu comprises at least one choice for a stored purchaser-defined transaction and one choice for a standard menu.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 3 where the identification means comprises at least one of a card reader and means for identifying a purchaser based on a physical characteristic of the purchaser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 6 where the means for identifying a purchaser based on a physical characteristic of the purchaser comprises at least one of: a fingerprint identification device; a voice recognition unit; and an eye scanner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means for storing transaction data relating to an executed transaction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 8 where the transaction data comprises at least one of: the price of the fuel; the day, date and time of the transaction; the location of the transaction; and the total purchase price for the transaction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 8 further comprising means for storing data not necessary for executing a transaction for the purchase of fuel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 10 wherein at least some of the transaction data and data not necessary for executing a transaction for the purchase of fuel are used to generate information relating to one or more of the purchaser's transactions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 11 where the transaction data comprises the amount of fuel purchased during a transaction, the data not necessary for executing a transaction comprises an odometer reading of a vehicle into which fuel is pumped, and the information relating to the purchaser's transactions comprises fuel efficiency information for the vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means for storing purchaser selected data not necessary for executing a transaction for the purchase of fuel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 13 where the data comprises an odometer reading of a vehicle into which fuel is pumped.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 13 where the control means controls the fuel pump to automatically turn off the fuel pump when the specified amount of fuel has been pumped.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 where the purchaser-defined transaction comprises a transaction parameter specifying the amount of fuel to be pumped.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 where the means for storing comprises at least one of a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, and a smart card.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
146 words
A fuel pump system with automated transaction processing comprising: at least one fuel pump capable of selectively enabling controlled amounts of one or more types of fuel to be pumped; a transaction processor, operatively connected to the fuel pump, for processing transactions involving the pumping of fuel from the fuel pump, said transaction processor comprising: a controller; means for communicating with the controller and storing one or more purchaser-defined transactions comprising purchaser selected transaction parameters; a display, operatively connected to the controller, for displaying transaction information, including purchaser-defined transactions; and input means, operatively connected to the controller, for enabling the purchaser to select one of the purchaser-defined transactions; wherein the transaction controller receives from the input means an indication of the purchaser-defined transaction to be executed and is operable to enable the transaction to be executed according to the transaction parameters associated with the selected transaction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
146 words
A fuel pump system with automated transaction processing comprising: at least one fuel pump capable of selectively enabling controlled amounts of one or more types of fuel to be pumped; a transaction processor, operatively connected to the fuel pump, for processing transactions involving the pumping of fuel from the fuel pump, said transaction processor comprising: a controller; means for communicating with the controller and storing one or more purchaser-defined transactions comprising purchaser selected transaction parameters; a display, operatively connected to the controller, for displaying transaction information, including purchaser-defined transactions; and input means, operatively connected to the controller, for enabling the purchaser to select one of the purchaser-defined transactions; wherein the transaction controller receives from the input means an indication of the purchaser-defined transaction to be executed and is operable to enable the transaction to be executed according to the transaction parameters associated with the selected transaction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 18, wherein the transaction information comprises at least one of: a form of payment; where payment is to be made; purchaser account information; a type of fuel to be pumped; an amount of fuel to be pumped and whether a printed record of the transaction should be printed upon completion of the transaction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a fuel pump system with automated transaction processing, a method comprising the steps of: (a) storing at least one purchaser-defined transaction relating to the purchase of fuel; (b) reading the at least one stored purchaser-defined transaction; (c) displaying a transaction menu comprising at least one of the purchaser-defined transactions; (d) selecting a transaction from the transaction menu; (e) pumping fuel; and (f) automatically processing the transaction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a fuel pump system with automated transaction processing, a method comprising the steps of: (a) storing at least one purchaser-defined transaction relating to the purchase of fuel; (b) reading the at least one stored purchaser-defined transaction; (c) displaying a transaction menu comprising at least one of the purchaser-defined transactions; (d) selecting a transaction from the transaction menu; (e) pumping fuel; and (f) automatically processing the transaction.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-01-11 | 2002-07-13 | 2003-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-11 | 2006-07-13 | 2007-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-11 | 2010-07-13 | 2011-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |