US5890520A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transponder distinction in a fueling environment
Assignee: Gilbarco Inc
•
Filing: 1997-11-07
•
Granted: 1999-04-06
•
Expires: 2017-11-07
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a fuel dispenser having a fuel delivery path, a pump associated with the delivery path for pumping fuel from a storage tank to a fueling nozzle and a controller and communication system adapted to receive remotely transmitted signals from transmitters of different types. The controller is adapted to determine the type of transmitter from which the remotely transmitted signals were received, and preferably, whether or not the transmitter is moved with respect to the dispenser. The controller and communication depending on the sophistication of the system or respond to information in the transmitted signals indicating the vehicle is moving.
Inventors
- 👤 William S. Johnson, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:23
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/02; B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/06; B67D7/064; B67D7/067; B67D7/08; B67D7/14; B67D7/145; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/343; G06Q20/346; G06Q50/00; G06Q50/06; G07C; G07C5/00; G07C5/008; G07C5/08; G07C5/0841; G07C5/085; G07C5/0858; G07F13/00; G07F13/02; G07F13/025; G07F7/08; G07F7/10; G07F7/1008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A fuel dispenser comprising: a fuel delivery path from a storage tank to a delivery nozzle; a pump associated with said delivery path for pumping fuel from said storage tank to said nozzle; a control system; and communication electronics operatively associated with said control system and adapted to receive remotely transmitted signals from a first transmitter attached to a vehicle and a second transmitter associated with a person; said control system being adapted to determine whether the received signals were transmitted from the first transmitter or the second transmitter; wherein once said communication electronics receives the remote signals and said control system determines the remote signals are transmitted from the first transmitter, said control system and said communication electronics are adapted to determine if the first transmitter has moved will respect to said dispenser.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A fuel dispenser comprising: a fuel delivery path from a storage tank to a delivery nozzle; a pump associated with said delivery path for pumping fuel from said storage tank to said nozzle; a control system; and communication electronics operatively associated with said control system and adapted to receive remotely transmitted signals from a first transmitter attached to a vehicle and a second transmitter associated with a person; said control system being adapted to determine whether the received signals were transmitted from the first transmitter or the second transmitter; wherein once said communication electronics receives the remote signals and said control system determines the remote signals are transmitted from the first transmitter, said control system and said communication electronics are adapted to determine if the first transmitter has moved will respect to said dispenser.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 1 further including a user interface having a display, card reader and input device associated with said control system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 2 further including a cash acceptor associated with said control system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein said control system and said communication electronics are adapted to determine a change in proximity of the transmitter with respect to said dispenser to determine if the first transmitter has moved with respect to said dispenser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 4 further including an antenna associated with said communication electronics, said communication electronics and said antenna providing said control system with a proximity signal indicative of the relative signal strength of the remotely transmitted signals received from the first transmitter, said control system determining a change in said signal to detect if the first transmitter has moved with respect to said dispenser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein said control system and said communication electronics are adapted to determine a change in location of the transmitter with respect to said dispenser to determine if the first transmitter has moved with respect to said dispenser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 6 wherein said control system and said communication electronics are associated with a plurality of antennas associated with said communication electronics and said control system, said control system adapted to determine a relative location of the first transmitter with respect to said fuel dispenser by determining differences in characteristics of the remotely transmitted signals from the first transmitter received at each of the plurality of antennas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 7 wherein certain of said plurality of antennas are located apart from said dispenser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 6 wherein said control system uses triangulation to determine the relative location of the vehicle with respect to said fuel dispenser.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein the transmitter signals include information on vehicle movement, said control system adapted to determine if vehicle is moving based on the information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 10 wherein the transmitter signals include information provided by the vehicle indicating the vehicle is or is about to move.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 11 wherein the information relating to movement provided by the vehicle was received from a global positioning system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein the transmitter signals include information on vehicle movement, said control system adapted to determine if vehicle movement is imminent based on the information.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein said control system provides an output when said first transmitter has moved with respect to said dispenser.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 14 wherein said control system provides said output when said first transmitter has moved a set distance with respect to said dispenser.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 14 wherein said control system provides said output when said first transmitter has moved a relative distance with respect to said dispenser.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 14 further including an amplifier and speaker associated with said control system and said output provides warning signal to said amplifier and speaker.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 14 wherein said warning signal is a beep.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 14 wherein said warning signal is an warning announcement in a desired language.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 14 wherein said output signal is used to control said fuel flow in said fuel delivery path.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 20 wherein said output signal shuts off fuel flow.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein said control system is adapted to determine whether the remotely transmitted signals are transmitted from the first transmitter or the second transmitter based upon information transmitted in the remotely transmitted signals.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 22 wherein the information is a transmitter identifier, said control system adapted to determine whether remotely transmitted signals originated from the first transmitter or second transmitter based on the identifier.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 22 wherein the information includes transmitter type data, said control system adapted to determine whether remotely transmitted signals originated from the first transmitter or second transmitter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 24 wherein the transmitter type is one of the group consisting of vehicle mounted and personal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein said communication electronic is an interrogator for interrogating a transponder.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein said control system determines signal strength of a signal received from one transmitter and monitors for a change in the signal strength to determine movement of the transmitter.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein the first transmitter is a vehicle mounted transmitter.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein the second transmitter is a transmitter carried by a person.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein said transmitter is transmitting electronics of a transponder adapted to transmit a signal based on a modification and a received signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein the vehicle mounted transmitter interfaces with the control system of the vehicle, said control system adapted to communicate with the vehicle control system to receive information.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein the vehicle mounted transmitter interfaces with the control system of the vehicle, said control system adapted to communicate with the vehicle control system to transmit information.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 32 wherein said means for receiving signals from remote communications units includes at least one of said first and second antennas, said communications electronics adapted to receive and transmit signals using said at least one of said first and second antennas.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 32 wherein said means for receiving signals from remote communications units includes an additional antenna adapted to receive signals receive signals from remote communications units.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 32 wherein said additional antenna is located proximate to said first antenna.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
138 words
A fuel dispenser comprising: a fuel delivery path from a storage tank to a delivery nozzle; a pump associated with said delivery path for pumping fuel from said storage tank to said nozzle; a control system adapted to control said pump to control fuel delivery through said delivery path; communication electronics operatively associated with said control system and adapted to receive communications from a source providing information containing the relative location of a vehicle having a transmitter with respect to said fuel dispenser wherein the vehicle transmitter transmits a signal to the remote source, the remote source determines the relative location of the vehicle with respect to said fuel dispenser; and said control system is adapted to provide an output when the information from the remote source indicates the transmitter has moved with respect to said fuel dispenser.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
138 words
A fuel dispenser comprising: a fuel delivery path from a storage tank to a delivery nozzle; a pump associated with said delivery path for pumping fuel from said storage tank to said nozzle; a control system adapted to control said pump to control fuel delivery through said delivery path; communication electronics operatively associated with said control system and adapted to receive communications from a source providing information containing the relative location of a vehicle having a transmitter with respect to said fuel dispenser wherein the vehicle transmitter transmits a signal to the remote source, the remote source determines the relative location of the vehicle with respect to said fuel dispenser; and said control system is adapted to provide an output when the information from the remote source indicates the transmitter has moved with respect to said fuel dispenser.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 36 wherein the source is associated with a global positioning system.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
45 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 36 wherein the source is a central site control system associated with said dispenser, said control system adapted to receive remotely transmitted signals from the vehicle transmitter and determine the relative location of the vehicle with respect to said dispenser.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
41 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 38 wherein said central site control system is adapted to determine a change in location of the transmitter with respect to said dispenser to determine if the first transmitter has moved with respect to said dispenser.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
62 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 39 wherein said central site control system is associated with a plurality of antennas, said central site control system adapted to determine a relative location of the first transmitter with respect to said fuel dispenser by determining differences in characteristics of the remotely transmitted signals from the first transmitter received at each of the plurality of antennas.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 39 wherein said central site control system uses triangulation to determine the relative location of the vehicle with respect to said fuel dispenser.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 40 wherein certain of said plurality of antennas are located apart from said dispenser.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
111 words
A fuel dispenser comprising: a fuel delivery path from a storage tank to a delivery nozzle; a pump associated with said delivery path for pumping fuel from said storage tank to said nozzle; a control system adapted to control said pump to control fuel delivery through said delivery path; communication electronics operatively associated with said control system and adapted to receive remotely transmitted signals from a first transmitter attached to a vehicle and a second transmitter; said control system and communication electronics adapted to receive transmitted signals from both said first and second transmitters before allowing fuel delivery and determine if the first transmitter has moved with respect to the dispenser.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
111 words
A fuel dispenser comprising: a fuel delivery path from a storage tank to a delivery nozzle; a pump associated with said delivery path for pumping fuel from said storage tank to said nozzle; a control system adapted to control said pump to control fuel delivery through said delivery path; communication electronics operatively associated with said control system and adapted to receive remotely transmitted signals from a first transmitter attached to a vehicle and a second transmitter; said control system and communication electronics adapted to receive transmitted signals from both said first and second transmitters before allowing fuel delivery and determine if the first transmitter has moved with respect to the dispenser.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
136 words
A fuel dispenser for distinguishing between vehicle mounted transponders and personal transponders comprising: a fuel dispenser having a control system and an interrogator associated with said control system; said interrogator facilitating communications with transponders and said control system adapted to control said dispenser based on remotely transmitted signals received from the transponders; said control system adapted to determine whether said transponder is a vehicle mounted transponder or a personal transponder by reading information transmitted in the remotely transmitted signals and provide a signal indicative of transponder type; wherein said interrogator and control system operate to determine a chance in a characteristic of the remotely transmitted signal from one of the transponders indicative of movement of the transponder with respect to the fuel dispenser, said control system providing an output if the transponder is a vehicle transponder.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
136 words
A fuel dispenser for distinguishing between vehicle mounted transponders and personal transponders comprising: a fuel dispenser having a control system and an interrogator associated with said control system; said interrogator facilitating communications with transponders and said control system adapted to control said dispenser based on remotely transmitted signals received from the transponders; said control system adapted to determine whether said transponder is a vehicle mounted transponder or a personal transponder by reading information transmitted in the remotely transmitted signals and provide a signal indicative of transponder type; wherein said interrogator and control system operate to determine a chance in a characteristic of the remotely transmitted signal from one of the transponders indicative of movement of the transponder with respect to the fuel dispenser, said control system providing an output if the transponder is a vehicle transponder.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 44 wherein the characteristic of the remotely transmitted signal is a phase.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 44 wherein the characteristic of the remotely transmitted signal is a magnitude.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
51 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 44 wherein when the transponder is a vehicle mounted transponder, additional remotely transmitted signals are sent carrying information indicative of the vehicle moving or beginning to move, said control system providing an output upon receiving the information indicative of the vehicle moving or beginning to move.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
73 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 44 further comprising an audio output system including a speaker wherein said interrogator and control system operate to determine from at least one remotely transmitted signal from one of the transponders indicative of movement of the transponder with respect to the fuel dispenser, said control system providing an output to said audio output system if the transponder is a vehicle transponder to warn of vehicle movement during fueling.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of distinguishing between transponder types comprising: a. receiving a remotely transmitted signal capable of indicating whether the transmission source is associated with a person or attached to a vehicle; b. determining whether the remote transmission source is associated with a person or attached to a vehicle; c. determining whether the transmission source is moving during the fueling operation based upon the remotely transmitted signal; and d. controlling a fuel dispenser according to whether the remotely transmitted signal is associated with a person or attached to a vehicle.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of distinguishing between transponder types comprising: a. receiving a remotely transmitted signal capable of indicating whether the transmission source is associated with a person or attached to a vehicle; b. determining whether the remote transmission source is associated with a person or attached to a vehicle; c. determining whether the transmission source is moving during the fueling operation based upon the remotely transmitted signal; and d. controlling a fuel dispenser according to whether the remotely transmitted signal is associated with a person or attached to a vehicle.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 49 wherein step (c) includes monitoring for changes in characteristics of the remotely transmitted signal to indicate movement of the of the transmission source.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 49 wherein step (c) includes receiving data in the remotely transmitted signal indicating movement of the of the transmission source.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 49 wherein step (d) includes providing an audible output when movement of a transmission source attached to a vehicle is determined during a fueling operation.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
158 words
A fuel dispenser adapted to distinguish between transponder types comprising: a fuel delivery path from a storage tank to a delivery nozzle; a pump associated with said delivery path for pumping fuel from said storage tank to said nozzle; communication electronics adapted to receive remotely transmitted signals from a vehicle transmitter attached to a vehicle and a personal transmitter associated with a person; and a control system adapted to determine whether the remotely transmitted signals were received from the vehicle transmitter or the personal transmitter and determine if the vehicle or file personal transmitter has moved with respect to said fuel dispenser, said control system providing an output if the vehicle moves with respect to said dispenser but not providing said output if said personal transmitter has moved in order to allow an individual with the personal transmitter to move away from said dispenser during fueling while preventing a vehicle from moving away from said dispenser during fueling.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
158 words
A fuel dispenser adapted to distinguish between transponder types comprising: a fuel delivery path from a storage tank to a delivery nozzle; a pump associated with said delivery path for pumping fuel from said storage tank to said nozzle; communication electronics adapted to receive remotely transmitted signals from a vehicle transmitter attached to a vehicle and a personal transmitter associated with a person; and a control system adapted to determine whether the remotely transmitted signals were received from the vehicle transmitter or the personal transmitter and determine if the vehicle or file personal transmitter has moved with respect to said fuel dispenser, said control system providing an output if the vehicle moves with respect to said dispenser but not providing said output if said personal transmitter has moved in order to allow an individual with the personal transmitter to move away from said dispenser during fueling while preventing a vehicle from moving away from said dispenser during fueling.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
39 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 53 wherein said control system is further adapted to determine if said vehicle has moved a relative distance with respect to said dispenser and provide said output when said vehicle moves the relative distance.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 53 wherein the transmitter signals include information on vehicle movement, said control system adapted to determine if vehicle is moving based on the information.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
32 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 53 wherein the transmitter signals include information on vehicle movement, said control system adapted to determine if the vehicle is preparing to move based on the information.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 53 wherein said control system and said communication electronics are adapted to determine a change in proximity of the transmitter with respect to said dispenser to determine if the first transmitter has moved with respect to said dispenser.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
67 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 57 further including an antenna associated with said communication electronics, said communication electronics and said antenna providing said control system with a proximity signal indicative of the relative signal strength of the remotely transmitted signals received from the first transmitter, said control system determining a change in said signal to detect if the first transmitter has moved with respect to said dispenser.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 53 wherein said control system and said communication electronics are adapted to determine a change in location of the transmitter with respect to said dispenser to determine if the first transmitter has moved with respect to said dispenser.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
71 words
The fuel dispenser of claim 59 wherein said control system and said communication electronics are associated with a plurality of antennas associated with said communication electronics and said control system, said control system adapted to determine a relative location of the first transmitter with respect to said fuel dispenser by determining differences in characteristics of the remotely transmitted signals from the first transmitter received at each of the plurality of antennas.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-04-05 | 2002-10-05 | 2003-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-05 | 2006-10-05 | 2007-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-05 | 2010-10-05 | 2011-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |