US5914654A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and apparatus for inputting messages, including advertisements, to a vehicle
Assignee: Intellectual Property Dev Assoc of Connecticut Inc
•
Filing: 1998-10-09
•
Granted: 1999-06-22
•
Expires: 2018-10-09
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus are disclosed for inputting messages and other infotion, such as advertisements, to a vehicle while the vehicle is coupled to a local station, such as a recharging station or a refueling station. The messages can be selected in accordance with information received from the vehicle, including information that selectively identifies one, some, or all of: (a) a characteristic of an occupant of the vehicle (e.g., name, account number, address, etc.); (b) a characteristic of the vehicle (e.g., make, model, year, class, registration number, marker number, odometer reading, owner, etc.); (c) a destination of the vehicle (entered through a data entry console and optionally stored within a vehicle memory); and (d) any other characteristic of interest.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry F. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:36
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/16; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/26; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/12; G06Q20/127; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G07C; G07C5/00; G07C5/008; G07F15/00; G07F15/12; G07F17/0014; G07F5/00; G07F5/18; G07F9/00; G07F9/002; G07F9/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for providing a message to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: storing an electronic message within a memory of a computer, the electronic message comprising information for identifying an intended recipient of the electronic message, the computer being bidirectionally coupled to a data communications network; coupling a vehicle to a dispenser of a vehicular energy source, the dispenser being bidirectionally coupled to the data communications network; transferring information to the computer using the dispenser and the data communications network, the transferred information comprising a portion that contains an identification of an occupant of the vehicle; in response to the portion of the transferred information matching the information of a stored one of the electronic messages that identifies the intended recipient of the electronic message, retrieving the stored one of the electronic messages and transmitting the retrieved electronic message from the computer towards the dispenser over the data communications network; receiving the electronic message; and presenting the received electronic message to the occupant of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for providing a message to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: storing an electronic message within a memory of a computer, the electronic message comprising information for identifying an intended recipient of the electronic message, the computer being bidirectionally coupled to a data communications network; coupling a vehicle to a dispenser of a vehicular energy source, the dispenser being bidirectionally coupled to the data communications network; transferring information to the computer using the dispenser and the data communications network, the transferred information comprising a portion that contains an identification of an occupant of the vehicle; in response to the portion of the transferred information matching the information of a stored one of the electronic messages that identifies the intended recipient of the electronic message, retrieving the stored one of the electronic messages and transmitting the retrieved electronic message from the computer towards the dispenser over the data communications network; receiving the electronic message; and presenting the received electronic message to the occupant of the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of receiving comprises a step of storing the received electronic message within the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of receiving comprises a step of storing the received electronic message within a memory located within the vehicle, and wherein the step of presenting presents the stored received electronic message.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 1, and further comprising a step of transmitting a message acknowledgement signal to the computer using the dispenser and the data communications network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of presenting includes a step of displaying the received electronic message within the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of presenting includes a step of printing the received electronic message within the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of presenting includes a step of displaying the received electronic message with the dispenser.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of presenting includes a step of printing the received electronic message with the dispenser.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for providing a message to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: storing an electronic message within a memory of a first computer, the electronic message comprising information for identifying an intended recipient of the electronic message, the first computer being bidirectionally coupled to a data communications network; subsequently transferring the stored electronic message over the data communications network from the memory of the first computer to a memory of a second computer; coupling a vehicle to a dispenser of a vehicular energy source, the dispenser being bidirectionally coupled to the data communications network; transferring information from an occupant of the vehicle to the data communications network using the dispenser, the transferred information comprising a portion that contains an identification of the occupant of the vehicle; in response to the portion of the transferred information matching the information of a stored one of the electronic messages that identifies the intended recipient of the electronic message, retrieving the stored one of the electronic messages and transmitting the retrieved electronic message from the memory of the second computer towards the dispenser over the data communications network; receiving the electronic message; and presenting the received electronic message to the occupant of the vehicle.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for providing a message to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: storing an electronic message within a memory of a first computer, the electronic message comprising information for identifying an intended recipient of the electronic message, the first computer being bidirectionally coupled to a data communications network; subsequently transferring the stored electronic message over the data communications network from the memory of the first computer to a memory of a second computer; coupling a vehicle to a dispenser of a vehicular energy source, the dispenser being bidirectionally coupled to the data communications network; transferring information from an occupant of the vehicle to the data communications network using the dispenser, the transferred information comprising a portion that contains an identification of the occupant of the vehicle; in response to the portion of the transferred information matching the information of a stored one of the electronic messages that identifies the intended recipient of the electronic message, retrieving the stored one of the electronic messages and transmitting the retrieved electronic message from the memory of the second computer towards the dispenser over the data communications network; receiving the electronic message; and presenting the received electronic message to the occupant of the vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 9, wherein the step of receiving comprises a step of storing the received electronic message within the vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as in claim 9, wherein the step of receiving comprises a step of storing the received electronic message within a memory located within the vehicle, and wherein the step of presenting presents the stored received electronic message.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 9, and further comprising a step of transmitting a message acknowledgement signal to the data communications network using the dispenser.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 9, wherein the step of presenting includes a step of displaying the received electronic message within the vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 9, wherein the step of presenting includes a step of printing the received electronic message within the vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 9, wherein the step of presenting includes a step of displaying the received electronic message with the dispenser.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 9, wherein the step of presenting includes a step of printing the received electronic message with the dispenser.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
217 words
A system for providing a message to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising in combination: a computer comprising a memory for storing an electronic message, the electronic message comprising information for identifying an intended recipient of the electronic message, said computer being bidirectionally coupled to a data communications network; a dispenser of a vehicular energy source, said dispenser comprising a first data interface, said dispenser being bidirectionally coupled to said data communications network; a vehicle comprising a second data interface for being bidirectionally coupled to said first data interface of said dispenser; and control means for transferring information from said vehicle to said computer via said first data interface, said second data interface, said dispenser and said data communications network, the transferred information comprising a portion that contains information for identifying the occupant of said vehicle; wherein said computer is responsive to a condition wherein said portion of the transferred information, that identifies the occupant of said vehicle, matches the information of a stored one of said electronic messages, that identifies the intended recipient of the electronic message, for retrieving said stored one of said electronic messages and for transmitting the retrieved electronic message towards said dispenser over said data communications network so that said retrieved electronic message can be presented to the occupant of said vehicle.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
217 words
A system for providing a message to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising in combination: a computer comprising a memory for storing an electronic message, the electronic message comprising information for identifying an intended recipient of the electronic message, said computer being bidirectionally coupled to a data communications network; a dispenser of a vehicular energy source, said dispenser comprising a first data interface, said dispenser being bidirectionally coupled to said data communications network; a vehicle comprising a second data interface for being bidirectionally coupled to said first data interface of said dispenser; and control means for transferring information from said vehicle to said computer via said first data interface, said second data interface, said dispenser and said data communications network, the transferred information comprising a portion that contains information for identifying the occupant of said vehicle; wherein said computer is responsive to a condition wherein said portion of the transferred information, that identifies the occupant of said vehicle, matches the information of a stored one of said electronic messages, that identifies the intended recipient of the electronic message, for retrieving said stored one of said electronic messages and for transmitting the retrieved electronic message towards said dispenser over said data communications network so that said retrieved electronic message can be presented to the occupant of said vehicle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as in claim 17, wherein said vehicle further comprises a memory for storing a received electronic message, and message presentation means for presenting the stored electronic message.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as in claim 17, and further comprising means for transmitting a message acknowledgement signal to said computer via said data communications network.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as in claim 17, and further comprising means for displaying the electronic message with at least one of said vehicle or said dispenser.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as in claim 17, and further comprising means for printing the electronic message with at least one of said vehicle or said dispenser.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as in claim 17, wherein said first and second data interfaces are each comprised of an optical connector means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as in claim 17, wherein said first and second data interfaces are each comprised of an RF connector means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as in claim 17, wherein said first and second data interfaces are each comprised of an electrical connector means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as in claim 17, wherein said first and second data interfaces are each comprised of a wireless connector means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as in claim 17, wherein said first and second data interfaces are each comprised of a wired connector means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as in claim 17, and further comprising voice synthesizer means for presenting at least a portion of said electronic message in an audio format.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for providing a message to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: originating an electronic message and transmitting the electronic message to a data communications network, the electronic message comprising information for identifying an intended recipient of the electronic message; receiving the electronic message with a computer that is bidirectionally coupled to the data communications network; storing the received electronic message within a memory of the computer along with other received electronic messages; coupling a vehicle to a fuel dispenser, the fuel dispenser being bidirectionally coupled to the data communications network; transferring information to the computer using the fuel dispenser and the data communications network, the transferred information comprising a portion that identifies an occupant of the vehicle; in response to the portion of the transferred information indicating that an occupant of the vehicle is an intended recipient of one of the stored electronic messages, retrieving the stored electronic message and transmitting the retrieved electronic message from the computer towards the fuel dispenser over the data communications network; receiving the electronic message and storing the received electronic message; transmitting an acknowledgement signal to the computer over the data communications network; and presenting the stored received electronic message to the occupant of the vehicle.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for providing a message to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: originating an electronic message and transmitting the electronic message to a data communications network, the electronic message comprising information for identifying an intended recipient of the electronic message; receiving the electronic message with a computer that is bidirectionally coupled to the data communications network; storing the received electronic message within a memory of the computer along with other received electronic messages; coupling a vehicle to a fuel dispenser, the fuel dispenser being bidirectionally coupled to the data communications network; transferring information to the computer using the fuel dispenser and the data communications network, the transferred information comprising a portion that identifies an occupant of the vehicle; in response to the portion of the transferred information indicating that an occupant of the vehicle is an intended recipient of one of the stored electronic messages, retrieving the stored electronic message and transmitting the retrieved electronic message from the computer towards the fuel dispenser over the data communications network; receiving the electronic message and storing the received electronic message; transmitting an acknowledgement signal to the computer over the data communications network; and presenting the stored received electronic message to the occupant of the vehicle.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as in claim 28, wherein the step of presenting includes a step of operating a voice synthesizer to present at least a portion of the stored received electronic message to the occupant of the vehicle in an audio format.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 28, wherein the step of presenting includes a step of at least one of displaying or printing the received electronic message within the vehicle.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 28, wherein the step of presenting includes a step of at least one of displaying or printing the received electronic message with the fuel dispenser.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for providing a message to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: providing a vehicle fuel dispenser; operating the fuel dispenser to transmit a message to a remote computer that is coupled to the fuel dispenser through a communications network, the message including an identification of the occupant of the vehicle; receiving the message at the remote computer and determining if the remote computer has a stored electronic message that is intended for delivery to the occupant of the vehicle that is identified by the received message; and if yes, retrieving the stored electronic message and transmitting the electronic message to the fuel dispenser for presentation to the occupant of the vehicle.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for providing a message to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: providing a vehicle fuel dispenser; operating the fuel dispenser to transmit a message to a remote computer that is coupled to the fuel dispenser through a communications network, the message including an identification of the occupant of the vehicle; receiving the message at the remote computer and determining if the remote computer has a stored electronic message that is intended for delivery to the occupant of the vehicle that is identified by the received message; and if yes, retrieving the stored electronic message and transmitting the electronic message to the fuel dispenser for presentation to the occupant of the vehicle.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for providing a message to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: providing a vehicle fuel dispenser; operating the fuel dispenser to transmit a message to a remote computer that is coupled to the fuel dispenser through a communications network, the message including an identification of the occupant of the vehicle; receiving the message at the remote computer and determining if the remote computer has a stored electronic message that is intended for delivery to the occupant of the vehicle that is identified by the received message; and if yes, retrieving the stored electronic message and transmitting the electronic message to the vehicle via the fuel dispenser for presentation to the occupant of the vehicle.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for providing a message to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: providing a vehicle fuel dispenser; operating the fuel dispenser to transmit a message to a remote computer that is coupled to the fuel dispenser through a communications network, the message including an identification of the occupant of the vehicle; receiving the message at the remote computer and determining if the remote computer has a stored electronic message that is intended for delivery to the occupant of the vehicle that is identified by the received message; and if yes, retrieving the stored electronic message and transmitting the electronic message to the vehicle via the fuel dispenser for presentation to the occupant of the vehicle.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
242 words
A system for providing a message to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising: a first computer comprising a memory for storing an electronic message, the electronic message comprising information for identifying an intended recipient of the electronic message, said first computer being bidirectionally coupled to a data communications network; a second computer that comprises a portion of a vehicle fuel dispenser, said second computer being bidirectionally coupled to said data communications network and also bidirectionally coupled to a fuel dispenser data interface; and a third computer that comprises a portion of a vehicle, said third computer being bidirectionally coupled to a vehicle data interface that is adapted for being bidirectionally coupled to said fuel dispenser data interface; wherein said second computer and said third computer operate together for transferring information to said first computer through said vehicle data interface, said fuel dispenser data interface and said data communications network, the transferred information comprising a portion that contains information for identifying an occupant of said vehicle; and wherein said first computer is responsive to a condition wherein said portion of the transferred information, that identifies the occupant of said vehicle, matches the information of a stored one of said electronic messages, that identifies the intended recipient of the electronic message, for retrieving said stored one of said electronic messages and for transmitting the retrieved electronic message towards said fuel dispenser over said data communications network for presentation to the occupant of said vehicle.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
242 words
A system for providing a message to an occupant of a vehicle, comprising: a first computer comprising a memory for storing an electronic message, the electronic message comprising information for identifying an intended recipient of the electronic message, said first computer being bidirectionally coupled to a data communications network; a second computer that comprises a portion of a vehicle fuel dispenser, said second computer being bidirectionally coupled to said data communications network and also bidirectionally coupled to a fuel dispenser data interface; and a third computer that comprises a portion of a vehicle, said third computer being bidirectionally coupled to a vehicle data interface that is adapted for being bidirectionally coupled to said fuel dispenser data interface; wherein said second computer and said third computer operate together for transferring information to said first computer through said vehicle data interface, said fuel dispenser data interface and said data communications network, the transferred information comprising a portion that contains information for identifying an occupant of said vehicle; and wherein said first computer is responsive to a condition wherein said portion of the transferred information, that identifies the occupant of said vehicle, matches the information of a stored one of said electronic messages, that identifies the intended recipient of the electronic message, for retrieving said stored one of said electronic messages and for transmitting the retrieved electronic message towards said fuel dispenser over said data communications network for presentation to the occupant of said vehicle.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as in claim 34, wherein said vehicle further comprises a memory for storing an electronic message that is received from said first computer, and message presentation means for presenting the electronic message that is stored in said vehicle memory.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system as in claim 34, wherein at least one of said second computer and said third computer are responsive to a receipt of the transmitted retrieved electronic message for transmitting a message acknowledgement signal to said first computer.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as in claim 34, wherein said second computer and said third computer further operate together for automatically transmitting a message acknowledgement signal to said first computer through said vehicle data interface, said fuel dispenser data interface and said data communications network.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as in claim 34, and further comprising means for transmitting a manually initiated message acknowledgement signal to said first computer over said data communications network.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as in claim 34, and further comprising visual display means for presenting the electronic message to the occupant of the vehicle.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as in claim 34, and further comprising a hard copy means for presenting the electronic message to the occupant of the vehicle.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system as in claim 34, wherein said fuel dispenser data interface and said vehicle data interface are each comprised of at least one of an optical connector means, an RF connector means, an electrical connector means, a wireless connector means, or a wired connector means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as in claim 34, and further comprising voice synthesizer means for presenting at least a portion of said electronic message in an audio format.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as in claim 34, and further comprising a voice transducer having an output coupled to a digitizer which in turn has an output coupled to said third computer.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as in claim 34, wherein said vehicle is further comprised of a microphone having an output coupled to an analog to digital converter, said analog to digital converter having an output coupled to said third computer, said microphone for inputting the voice of an occupant of said vehicle.
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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) | 2002-06-21 | 2002-12-21 | 2003-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-06-21 | 2006-12-21 | 2007-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-06-21 | 2010-12-21 | 2011-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |